Archives
LSTM’s archives preserve more than a century of global health discovery. They document the people, partnerships and pioneering research that shaped tropical medicine and continue to inform the future of global health.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Archives hold materials that trace the development of tropical medicine, paediatrics and nutrition as they converged in the pioneering work of the School. Together, they capture more than a century of innovation and collaboration in research, education and global health.
Founded in 1898 as the Liverpool School of Tropical Diseases, inaugurated by Lord Lister, LSTM was the first institution of its kind in the world. From those earliest years, we have collected and preserved records that reflect our growth, our research, and our lasting contribution to modern medicine.
The archives are central to understanding both LSTM’s own story and the wider evolution of tropical medicine during a century of medical and social transformation. They offer an unparalleled resource for researchers exploring the history of health, science and international collaboration.
Where to find our collections
University of Liverpool Library Special Collections
The largest portion of the archives is held at the University of Liverpool Library Special Collections. These include administrative and departmental records, documents from research expeditions and overseas outposts, news cuttings, biographical materials, staff portraits and photographs.
An online catalogue is available, and enquiries about these records should be directed to scastaff@liv.ac.uk.
LSTM On-Site Archives
A further selection of records is held on-site at LSTM. These include materials documenting the School’s developing work, along with a photographic collection that illustrates many aspects of our research, fieldwork and community engagement.
Professor Brian Gilmore Maegraith Collection
We also hold the personal papers of Professor Brian Gilmore Maegraith, a pioneering figure in tropical medicine and Dean of LSTM for 29 years. His archive provides valuable insights into his life, research and leadership during a formative period in the School’s history.
Access and Cataloguing
An online catalogue of records held at LSTM is not currently available. The holdings were surveyed in 2007 with support from the Wellcome Trust, which identified material for future cataloguing and produced an initial summary listing.