Octaves were dinner parties held by Sir Henry Thompson (1820–1904), Professor of Surgery at University College, London, at his house 35 Wimpole Street, London, at which eight courses, accompanied by eight wines, were served at eight o'clock to eight guests in addition to the host and the guest of honour. The guest of honour here, seated to the right of the mantelpiece, was Ernest Hart, Editor of the British Medical Journal. The room contains works of art from Thompson's collection including paintings by well known artists of his acquaintance. The other guests are all senior members of the British surgical and medical professions. The Wellcome Library also holds five oil sketches of the individual guests made as studies for the larger group portrait.