Charles Macafee: South African Scrapbook

Scope and Content

This volume takes the form of a scrapbook following the itinerary of Professor Macafee on his visit to southern Africa as the RCOG Sims Black Travelling Professor. It is a companion volume to the three volumes of diaries he wrote during and after the trip to Rhodesia and South Africa and consists entirely of loose printed items collected on his journey. Items include airline tickets, route maps, postcards, menus, informational leaflets, correspondence, hospital annual reports, photographs and illustrations. Most of the contents relate to the social aspects of the trip with illustrations of landscapes, flora and fauna, buildings and tourist attractions but there is some hospital-related material and some press cuttings regarding race relations and the apartheid system, two of which have been added later in 1978.

Administrative / Biographical History

In 1951 Sir Arthur Sims, a New Zealand businessman, endowed the Sims Black Travelling Professorship at the RCOG in the names of his wife Lady Sims and his daughter Mrs Lewis Black both of whom were committed to its aims.

It was set up to fund overseas travel within the Commonwealth in order to assist the advancement of obstetrics and gynaecology through either lecturing, teaching, investigating or engaging in research and to further the exchange of knowledge between medical practitioners in different countries.

Access Information

Open to researchers by appointment, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm. mailto: archives@rcog.org.uk

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

Volume in good condition but tape affixing illustrative items is deteriorating

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is vested in the estate of Charles Horner Greer Macafee

Reproductions are available at the discretion of the College Archivist

Geographical Names