Veterinary Surgeon records?

[neilelliott21]

Hi
I have an ancestor Robert DRYDEN who was a Veterinary Surgeon.
He was born in Barton YORK in 1769 and stayed there until about 1800.
He was in Nottinghamshire in 1802 but died in Cowpen NBL in 1851.
Is there a register of UK vets? I am in Australia and thus restricted when it comes to searches?
Any help appreciated!
Thank you
Neil

[Colin Moretti]

I suspect that at that time there was not; the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, which today has that role, was not established until 1844. Many people called themselves veterinary surgeons, my 2xg grandfather among them, but I know that he started out as a rural blacksmith; after he moved to London he described himself as a farrier then later in life as a veterinary surgeon but I'm sure that he was no more than a horse doctor at best. His sons were also blacksmiths.

Colin

[Jan1954]

Hello Neil,

Have you contacted The Royal Veterinary College? Their website at rvc.ac.uk/About/Museums/Index.cfm has a history section, which shows the foundation of the RVC as being in 1791.