An Extraordinary Wartime Alliance That Bridged Nations Through Education
Imagine a medical school where professors teach in a language they don't speak to students in military uniform, following a curriculum from a country under enemy occupation, all within the halls of a centuries-old Scottish university. This was the remarkable reality of the Polish School of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, established in 1941 amidst the turmoil of World War II1 .
In what remains one of the most unique academic collaborations in history, Scottish and Polish academics joined forces to ensure that medical education could continue for Polish students displaced by war. At the heart of this extraordinary initiative were the Scottish professors who stepped into Polish chairs, bridging cultural and linguistic divides to keep the flame of knowledge burning during humanity's darkest hours1 . Their story represents not only a fascinating chapter in medical history but a powerful testament to international solidarity and the unwavering commitment to education in the face of adversity.
The origins of the Polish School of Medicine (PSM) trace back to the catastrophic events of 1939-1940. Following the Nazi invasion of Poland and subsequent fall of France, Polish military forces evacuated to Britain, bringing with them physicians, medical students, and professors who had escaped the systematic destruction of Poland's educational institutions.
Nazis closed all universities in Poland, with professors killed or sent to concentration camps in a deliberate effort to turn Poland into what they termed an "intellectual desert".
Professor Francis Albert Eley Crew recognized both the urgent need for doctors in the Polish armed forces and the availability of qualified Polish academic refugees5 7 .
Official agreement signed between the University of Edinburgh and the Polish Government in Exile to create the Polish School of Medicine4 .
The school officially opened its doors with President Wladyslaw Raczkiewicz of the Polish Government in Exile presiding over the ceremony4 .
Against this bleak backdrop, a visionary idea emerged from Professor Francis Albert Eley Crew, a genetics professor at the University of Edinburgh who also served as Commanding Officer of the Military Hospital at Edinburgh Castle5 7 . Professor Crew recognized both the urgent need for doctors in the Polish armed forces and the availability of qualified Polish academic refugees who could form the core of a medical school. He found enthusiastic partners on the Polish side in Professor Antoni Jurasz, a distinguished surgeon from Poznań University, and Professor Tadeusz Sokolowski4 .
The Polish School of Medicine faced an immediate challenge: with only seven Polish professors available initially, there were insufficient faculty members to staff a complete medical school1 . The solution emerged through the appointment of Scottish professors to fill the vacant Polish chairs, an arrangement explicitly included in the agreement between the University of Edinburgh and the Polish Government1 .
| Name | Department | Role and Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. Leybourn Stanley Patrick Davidson | Internal Medicine | Primary instructor in medicine, also served as co-examiner |
| Prof. Alexander Murray Drennan | Pathology | Provided essential pathology training to Polish students |
| Prof. Robert William Johnstone | Obstetrics/Gynaecology | Directed women's health education program |
| Prof. Thomas John Mackie | Bacteriology | Critical instruction in infectious diseases |
| Prof. Guy Frederick Marrian | Chemistry/Biochemistry | Built foundational science knowledge |
| Prof. Charles McNeil | Paediatrics | Specialist in children's health medicine |
| Prof. Sydney Alfred Smith | Forensic Medicine | Key organizer and forensic medicine expert |
| Lt. Col. Francis Albert Eley Crew | Honorary Professor | Founding visionary of the school initiative |
| Prof. David Dunlop | Medicine | Served as co-examiner alongside Prof. Davidson |
Conducted examinations in English, ensuring graduates would be prepared for medical practice in English-speaking environments1 .
Provided instruction in Polish, attached to each Scottish professor to facilitate understanding of complex medical concepts1 .
A typical scene in the wards of the Royal Infirmary during this period captured this unique collaboration: "a group of Scottish students being instructed by their professor at a patient's bedside, and at another bed, a group of Polish soldier-students in battledress, being taught in Polish by their lecturer"1 . Despite the potential for confusion, contemporary accounts note that "the co-operation worked very well indeed," demonstrating how seemingly impossible academic partnerships could thrive under exceptional circumstances1 .
The Polish School of Medicine opened with an initial cohort of approximately 70 military students and 20 civilians4 , though it would eventually grow to include 336 matriculated students over its eight-year existence2 7 . These students, many of whom had their studies interrupted by the war, found themselves in the unusual position of being full-time University of Edinburgh students while following a specifically Polish curriculum4 .
| Category | Number | Details and Context |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matriculated Students | 336 | Includes military and civilian students over 8 years |
| Medical Diplomas Awarded (MBChB) | 227 | Polish degrees recognized by Polish Government |
| Doctoral Degrees (MD/PhD) | 19 | Includes 12 who had previously graduated with diplomas |
| Diploma Recognition | Valid in Poland initially, later in Britain by Act of Parliament | Dual-language diplomas issued |
| Postwar Return to Poland | Few (approximately 8%) | Majority remained abroad due to political situation |
The academic program blended Polish and Scottish educational traditions. Students attended seminars and lectures within the College of Medicine buildings at Bristo Street and received clinical training at Edinburgh's renowned teaching hospitals, including the Royal Infirmary, Royal Sick Children's Hospital, and the City Hospital4 . From October 1941, they also gained access to the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Polish Hospital, established in the grounds of the Western General Hospital through the generosity of the Edinburgh Council4 .
The linguistic dimension of the education presented both challenges and opportunities. While most instruction occurred in Polish, particularly through the attached Polish lecturers, students had to quickly master medical English for their textbooks and clinical interactions with Scottish patients1 . The Scottish professors conducted examinations in English, ensuring graduates would be prepared for medical practice in English-speaking environments1 .
The Polish School of Medicine operated until 1949, outliving the war that prompted its creation but ultimately closing as postwar political realities made its continuation impractical2 . The fate of its graduates reflected the displaced nature of the Polish people: only a small number (approximately 8%) returned to Poland, which had become a satellite state of the USSR. Approximately half remained in Britain, while the rest emigrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries2 4 .
The Polish School of Medicine Memorial Fund, established in 1986 by graduates and friends, provides scholarships for Polish medical scientists to undertake study or research in Edinburgh2 .
The Polish School of Medicine Historical Collection, cared for by the University Collections Division, preserves medals, sculptures, paintings, photographs, and books related to the school2 .
| Resource | Function and Significance | Challenges and Adaptations |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual Faculty Teams | Scottish professors provided expertise while Polish lecturers facilitated language access | Required sophisticated coordination between academic traditions |
| Edinburgh Teaching Hospitals | Provided essential clinical training environments | Polish students learned Scottish medical practices alongside Polish curriculum |
| Paderewski Polish Hospital | Specialized facility for Polish patients and teaching | Located in Western General Hospital grounds, donated by Edinburgh Council |
| Polish Government Funding | Covered tuition fees (£2.50 per student) and operational costs | Funded by Polish Government in Exile despite wartime constraints |
| Hybrid Curriculum | Combined Polish educational requirements with Scottish medical practices | Ensured graduates could practice in both contexts |
The story of the Scottish professors and their Polish colleagues represents a remarkable chapter in the history of academic solidarity. Professor Crew's vision, implemented through the dedication of both Scottish and Polish academics, created what Surgeon Antoni Jurasz described as "an affirmation that science can be international". Despite the tremendous practical challenges—language barriers, wartime resource constraints, and different educational traditions—the collaboration flourished, demonstrating how shared commitment to knowledge could transcend national conflicts.
Perhaps the most enduring testament to the school's success came in 1949 when a bronze plaque was unveiled in the Quadrangle of the Medical Faculty, recognizing "the invaluable help extended by the University of Edinburgh to Polish science and learning"1 . The collaboration between Scottish professors and Polish academics during humanity's darkest hours stands as a powerful reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and healing can bridge even the deepest divisions created by conflict, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire international academic cooperation to this day.