Scottish army surgeon John Monro (1670-1740) initiated a series of events that lead to the establishment of a dynasty which, beginning with his son Alexander Monro, changed the course of medical teaching and learning. Three men (father, son and grandson), each called Alexander Monro (Primus, Secundus and Tertius), consecutively held the Chair of Anatomy at the University of Edinburgh for 126 years. The Medical Library of the University of Otago houses the Monro Collection of books and manuscripts, used and written by the Monros during their careers as students, and later, professors at the University of Edinburgh.