The Ross Institute

History

The Ross Institute and Hospital for Tropical Diseases was opened in 1926 on Putney Heath by the Prince of Wales as a memorial to and in recognition of Ross' work. The main focus of the Institute was the study of the nature and treatment, propagation and prevention of tropical disease. Due to financial problems arising after Ross' death in 1932, the Institute was incorporated into the London School in 1934, eventually to become the School's Department of Tropical Hygiene. The hospital became the Ross Ward of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in central London. The Institute added new dimensions to the School's existing departments and brought with it wide-ranging interests in overseas industries from Indian tea plantations to Anglo-Iranian oil companies who requested advice from the Institute on public health and disease prevention for staff in the tropics. The School has undergone several reorganisations since the 1950s which has resulted in the Institute losing its separate identity through its absorption by the School. The remaining vestige of Ross' name is in the title of Ross Professor Emeritus, which is currently held by Professor David Bradley.

Provenance of the Ross Institute collection

Four boxes of material relating to the Institute's establishment and early years were passed to the Library with the Ross collection in 1942. More material is coming to light as the Archivist is sorting and cataloguing the School's archives. Recent material relating to the Ross Institute is with the Ross Professor. It is assumed that other related material may be discovered during the records survey of the School and while cataloguing the papers of those members of the School who also worked for the Ross Institute.

Content of the collection

The collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, publications, photographs and press cuttings relating to the Institute's establishment, work, and relationship with the School on its incorporation. More material relating to the Institute may be discovered in other collections currently being surveying and catalogued in the School. Estimated extent: c.1000 items, 2 linear metres.

Please see Access for information on how to use the archives.