RBGE acknowledges that our collections contain historic materials which may contain, either in their content or catalogue descriptions, terminology which is inappropriate, outdated, offensive or distressing. Such information does not reflect the current views and values of RBGE.
We welcome feedback about the language in our catalogues. While we cannot change fixed attributes connected to items in the collection (e.g. published titles, names or contents) we will always consider requests for changes to be made to other aspects of the records in our catalogues. Please contact archives@rbge.org.uk
A native [Lepcha?] collector, worked as part of the 1949 Ludlow & Sherriff expedition team that accompanied Mr. JH Hicks and Betty Sherriff. Was the chief collector for Mr. JH Hicks.
Accompanied G. Sherriff and F. Ludlow on their last expedition in 1949.
Studied medicine at Birmingham University, obtained his Fellowship in 1942
1942-1946, served as a ship’s surgeon in the Merchant Navy
During his time as surgical registrar and resident surgical officer at Birmingham General Hospital he worked with H. H. Sampson, B. T. Rose, R. Scott Mason and J. B. Leather, and obtained the MCh (Orth) from Liverpool in 1950.
1951, appointed surgeon to the Birmingham Accident Hospital
1955, married Dr Sheila C. S. Meux in 1955 and they had two sons and one daughter
MRCS 1940
FRCS 1942
MB ChB 1938
MCh (Orth) 1950
“His studies of the anatomy of the foot elucidated the function of the Plantar fascia and both simplified and clarified the movements of inversion and eversion: as a result, he lectured at anatomists meetings both in this country and in France and the United States. He also showed how inversion could cause the familiar lateral rotation injury of the ankle.”
Developed what is known as a Hicks bone plate - used in many countries for internal fixation of bone fractures
3rd Druk Gylapo (King) of Bhutan (30 March 1952-21 July 1972)
"Father of modern Bhtuan". He began to open Bhutan to the outside world, began modernization, and took the first step towards democratization.
Only child of Druk Gylapo Jigme Wangchuck and Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck.
Married in 1951 to Ashi Kesang Choden (b.1930). They had five children. He also had a concubine and four additional children.
Son of Sonham Tobgye Dorji. Became 1st offical Prime Minister of Bhutan (and first to hold the title, Lyonchen). Brother-in-law of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Was assassinated in April 1964
1928, at the age of nine, was appointed the Trungpa (Administrator) of Haa Dzongkhag
1953, he succeeded his father Raja Tobgay, after his death, as Bhutan Agent to Kalimpong.[6] He became the first man to hold the title Prime Minister of Bhutan (Lyonchen).
Was the second Druk Gyalpo (King) of Bhutan from 26 August 1926 until his death on 30 March 1952.
Married to the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (marries 5 Oct 1951). Daughter of Sonam Topgay Dorji & Mayum Choying Wangmo.
1972 the Third King's health had seriously deteriorated. On 22 April 1972 Kesang Choden was formally appointed regent to act on his behalf during his illness — one of the very few women in Bhutanese history to hold such a position.
From 1972 her title shifted from Queen Consort to Queen Mother, in Dzongkha Gyalyum (རྒྱལ་ཡུམ). She did not remarry. During the Fourth King's long reign (1972–2006) she remained a senior figure at court but kept a deliberately low public profile compared with her four daughters-in-law — four sisters from the Yangtse-based Ngalop family who married her son in a single ceremony in 1988. Observers describe her role in this period as that of a private matriarch rather than a public figurehead, focused on religious practice, family, and the education of her grandchildren.
When her son Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated in December 2006 in favour of his eldest son, Kesang Choden's formal title became Gyalyum Chenmo — "Great Royal Grandmother" — though in common Bhutanese usage she is simply the Royal Grandmother.
Princess of Sikkim, daughter Chogyal Thutob Namgyal, the 9th consecrated ruler of Sikkim. (Bhutia 1994: 57) Mother of Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden of Bhutan. Wife of 2nd Prime Minister Sir Raja Sonam Tobgye Dorji.
In her early years she was given an monastic education.
She is best known for designing the flag of Bhutan.
5 April 1918, marries Sonam Tobgye Dorji of Bhutan. They had five children: his eldest son Jigme Palden (1919-1964) who became Prime Minister of Bhutan; the second eldest, a daughter Tashi (b.1923), who helped in the affairs of the Bhutan House; Kesang Choden (b.1930), who married the third King of Bhutan; Ugyen (1933-2006), a reincarnation of a high priest in Tibet; and Lhendup (1935-2007). The children were all born and brought up in Bhutan House and educated in the elite schools set up by the British within Darjeeling and Kalimpong. (Khandu-Om Dorji 2008:10)
Was deeply religious and a scholar with an interest in the history and culture of Bhutan. Was also knowledgeable about the history and cultures of Tibet and Sikkim. She was a founding member and took an active role in the Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology (SRIT), Gangtok, Sikkim. From 1964-65 she was co-opted in the General Council of SRIT. (Bhutia 1994: 59)
In memory of her husband, Mayum was commissioned by Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (third king of Bhutan & Mayum's son-in-law) to write the Kanjur and Tenjur, comprising of over 300 volumes of sacred teachings and expositions of Bhuddha in gold lettering (Bhutia 1994: 57)
She funded the construction of many Lhakhangs (temples) and the renovations of monasteries. (Bhutia 1994: 57)
Wife of the 2nd King of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo (King) Jigme Wangchuck. Co-Druk Gyaltsuen (queen) with her older sister, 1st consort, Ashi Phuntsho Choden.
Daughter of Chumed Zhalgno, Dasho Jamyang (of the Tamzhing Choji family – also known as the Myo family -) and Yeshay Choden, sister of the first Druk Gyalpo (King) of Bhutan, Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck.
Married in 1932, at 14 years old. Had 4 children with Druk Gyalpo Jigme Wangchuck: Druk Gyalsem(Princess) Choki Wangmo Wangchuck (b.1937), Druk Gyalsey (Prince) Namgyel Wangchuck (b. 1943), Druk Gyalsem(Princess) Deki Yangzom Wangchuck (b. 1946), Druk Gyalsem(Princess) Pema Choden Wangchuck (b. 1949)
2nd Gongzim of Bhutan (Prime Minister) 1917-1952.
Lived at Bhutan House, an estate in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India owned by the Dorji family of Bhutan. It served as an administrative and diplomatic hub allowing Bhutan to foster relationships with Tibet and British India.
Inherited the role of Gongzim from his father Ugyen Dorji. Was also given the role of Bhutan Agent from the British Government due to his experience he got from assisting his father on many expeditions. Also inherited the British-India's 'Raja' title. (Aris 1994: 106)
1918, he marries Rani Chuni Wangmo, the sister of the king of Sikkim. They have five children: his eldest son Jigme Palden (1919-1964) who became Prime Minister of Bhutan; the second eldest, a daughter Tashi (b.1923), who helped in the affairs of the Bhutan House; Kesang Choden (b.1930), who married the third King of Bhutan; Ugyen (1933-2006), a reincarnation of a high priest in Tibet; and Lhendup (1935-2007). His children were all born and brought up in Bhutan House and educated in the elite schools set up by the British within Darjeeling and Kalimpong. (Khandu-Om Dorji 2008:10)
Was an avid fan of football. Promoted sports by brining in outside teams and sponsoring local teams in different areas in North Bengal, introducing them to new techniques and strategies. Tobgye and Rai Saheb Bhimbahadur Pradhan levelled and increased the size of the Mela Ground where hockey and football games were played. (Khandu-Om Dorji 2008:13)