The early records of the Incorporation of Barber-Surgeons of Edinburgh are contained in the burgh records but the earliest minutes of the Incorporation date from 1581. Since that date, the proceedings of the Surgeons and Barbers have been continuously recorded. Whilst the names of the earliest members of the craft are recorded in these burgh records, the assignation of a roll number for Members and Fellows starts from 1581 when the Deacon of the Incorporation was Gilbert Primrose and, to him is ascribed the honour of being first in the Roll of Fellows which continues to this day. Robert Henrysoun [Hendersone] was a founder member of the Incorporation and Gilbert Primrose was his apprentice. His name first appears in 1558 when Scotland was threatened by an invasion from “the auld inemies of Ingland”. The craft guilds were required to list those men who could be mustered in the event of an attack and Gilbert Primrose was one of the 27 nominated by the Incorporation of Barber-Surgeons. He was subsequently elected Deacon of the Incorporation on no fewer than three occasions. Whilst he was Deacon in 1581 the Barber-Surgeons became first in the order of precedence of the 14 crafts of the City of Edinburgh.
Gilbert Primrose was born around 1535, a member of the Perthshire family from which the current Earl of Rosebery is descended. He went to St Andrew’s University, graduating MA. On 6 June 1558 he was admitted to the Incorporation as apprentice to Robert Henrysoun, and went on to become Surgeon to King James VI of Scotland. He was a friend of Dr Peter Lowe, the founder of the Royal Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, who dedicated his masterly treatise on Chirurgery to Gilbert Primrose. When he was elected Deacon for the third time in 1602 his status was such that he was able to impose considerable discipline on the Incorporation. Under his leadership all members of the Incorporation swore that they would uphold all aspects of the Seal of Cause and any violations were punished. He was also responsible for passing new Laws which sought to maintain even higher standards from the craft. He established admission and examination fees and required each member of the Incorporation to pay a subscription. Under his leadership the Incorporation thrived.
As Serjeant-Surgeon, or principal surgeon to King James VI he accompanied the Court to London on the Union of the crowns, remaining Serjeant-Surgeon to the King, now James VI of Scotland and Ist of England.
Gilbert Primrose died at Westminster in 1615 but was buried in Greyfriars Church Yard, where his monument stands to this day. His grave carries the inscription:
“To Gilbert Primrose, Chief Surgeon to James and Anne, King and Queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland, his heirs erected this monument. He lived happily 80 years. To the end of his life he was Chief Surgeon to the King, and died, adorned with testimonials of public sorrow from Prince and people in the year of our Lord 1615."
