Affiliated Organisations
Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society
Email: medchi.admin@abdn.ac.uk
Association of Anaesthetists Heritage Centre
The Anaesthesia Heritage Centre tells the remarkable story of anaesthesia, from its first public demonstration in 1846 to modern day anaesthetists working in the aftermath of wars and terrorist attacks. The Museum, rare book collection and archive are a unique resource for both curious visitors and specialist researchers.
The museum has a permanent and a temporary display, as well as pull-out drawers and flip books containing biographies and details of large anaesthetic machines. The collections give an insight into the history of anaesthesia, resuscitation and pain relief.
Email: heritage@anaesthetists.org
Bristol Medico-Historical Society
The Bristol Medico-Historical society was established in 1986 as a Bristol forum open to all for the discussion of medical history. Members were encouraged to present short papers on their researches at the quarterly evening meetings and their presentation published. Due to waning membership the society has moved to wind down, holding Saturday meetings at the Bristol Archives building once or twice a year. For details of future meetings see website or contact bristolmedhist@gmail.com to be put on the circulation list.
British Society for the History of ENT
British Society for the History of Pharmacy
The British Society for the History of Pharmacy (BSHP) was formed in 1967 having originated from a committee of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. It seeks to act as a focus for the development of all areas of the history of pharmacy, from the works of the ancient apothecary to today’s ever-changing role of the community, hospital, wholesale, industrial, and academic pharmacist.
The Society’s aim is to advance education in the history of pharmacy for the public benefit. It does this by stimulating interest in, and promoting and encouraging, research and study in the history of pharmacy both nationally and internationally; by furthering the publication of studies in the history of pharmacy; and by organising meetings and conferences for the reading of papers in the history of pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and medicine.
Email: honsec@bshp.org
British Society for the History of Radiology
The Croydon Medical Society is a private medical society, formed of General Practitioners and Hospital Consultants who either work in Croydon or are associated with Croydon. The Society was founded in 1832 and originally called the Croydon Medical Reading Society.
Contact: secretary@croydonmedicalsociety.co.uk
Devon & Exeter Medical Heritage Trust
Celebrating the heritage, achievements and ongoing relevance of military medicine for healthcare worldwide. You are invited to our medical history talks, open to all, normally held on the last Friday of the month on Zoom and at the former Royal Army Medical College, Millbank (now Chelsea College of Arts). See website for programme, registration, and other resources.
Contact: David Vassallo, Chairman: chairman@friendsofmillbank.org
Friends of the Museum of Military Medicine
Contact: friends@museumofmilitarymedicine.org.uk
Herbal History Research Network
The Herbal History Research Network (HHRN) brings together historical researchers, medical herbalists, and others who are active in exploring the history of herbal medicine across time and space. The network aims to promote further research through blogs, seminars and other events.
Contact: herbalhistoryrn@gmail.com
Historical Medical Equipment Society
Contact: Hon secretary, Jonathan Goddard: jonathan.goddard@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
History of Medicine Society of Wales
The History of Medicine Society of Wales exists to review matters of historic significance to those with an interest in medicine and allied subjects in Wales.
The society was founded in 1819 and was named to honour John Hunter, the father of scientific surgery. To his lifetime of teaching and innovative experimentation, the society was then, and is yet now, dedicated to celebrate.
Contact: hunteriansociety@gmail.com
Lancaster Health and Medical Museum Collection
The collection advances public education by the development, preservation and display of a special collection relating to the history of the practice of medicine, public health and healthcare in Lancaster and environs. It promotes interest in the history of medicine for the benefit of the public.
Contact: admin@lancasterhealthmedicalmuseum.org.uk
Lindsay Society for the History of Dentistry
The society promotes interest, study and research into the history of dentistry and brings together people who share these interests.
Contact: Dr Brian Williams: brianwilliams14@btinternet.com
The Museum of Military Medicine, Keogh Barracks, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5RQ.
The Museum of Military Medicine is the Army-supported museum for the history and heritage of the Royal Army Medical Service, its antecedents, and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. It promotes heritage initiatives and fosters an ‘Esprit de Corps’.
Contact: Jason Semmens, Director. director@museumofmilitarymedicine.org.uk
Housed in the attic of the early eighteenth-century church of the old St Thomas’ Hospital, this atmospheric museum offers a unique insight into the history of medicine and surgery. The original timber framed herb garret was once used to dry and store herbs for patients’ medicines and in 1822 an operating theatre was included. Predating anaesthetics and antiseptics, it is the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe.
Contact: http://info@oldoperatingtheatre.com.
Founded in the late 1920s by six young doctors who wanted to pursue the clinical, historical, moral and ethical principles that contributed to the performance of a “good doctor”. They chose Sir William Osler, who had died a decade earlier, as the embodiment of their intentions and the Club was named after him with the permission of Lady Osler.
Contact: oslerclub@gmail.com
Royal College of Physicians – Archive, Heritage Library and Museum
Royal College of Psychiatrists – History of Psychiatry Special Interest Group (HoPSIG)
This is one of the 15 special interest groups within the Royal College and any member of the college can join as well as others by invitation. The group’s aims are to raise awareness of the value of understanding the history of psychiatry; to encourage research into the history of psychiatry, including the history of the Royal College of Psychiatrists; and to educate everyone on the the history of psychiatry. We organise conferences, witness seminars and exhibitions as well as provide advice to the College and support the College Historian in Residence.
Contact: sigs@rcpsych.ac.uk
Royal Society of Medicine – History of Medicine Society
Contact: history@rsm.ac.uk
1 Wimpole Street, London W1G 0AE
Science Museum (Medicine Curatorial Team)
Contact: curatorialservices@sciencemuseum.ac.uk
The Scottish Society of the History of Medicine
Contact: Hon secretary: Dr John Clark. jcclark@doctors.org.uk
Sheffield Aesculapian Society
Contact: Dr Stephen Brennan. stevebrennan2000@yahoo.co.uk
Society of Apothecaries of London Centre for Health Studies
The Centre for Health Studies runs the Diploma in the History of Medicine (DHMSA) course, in addition to other diplomas. An informal fellows discussion group on the history of medicine and pharmacy is open to anyone interested in the subject.
In addition, the Friends of the Archives encourages members of the general public to join with them in helping raise funds for the conservation of the material in the archives and also helps with the purchase of relevant acquisitions as necessary.
Contact: friends@apothecaries.org
The Centre and Friends of the Archives hold evening lectures with eminent international speakers. The schedule of forthcoming evening lectures (with subscription supper) is available at https://www.apothecaries.org/events/category/cfhs-events/
Contact: Comms@apothecaries.org
Suffolk Medical History Society
The society hosts the website for Suffolk Medical Biographies: https://www.suffolkmedicalbiographies.uk/
Contact: Hon Sec Dr Paul Siklos. paulsiklos@gmail.com
Surgeons’ Hall Museums Edinburgh
Contact: museum@rcsed.ac.uk
Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library located near Euston Station in London. Through our collections, exhibitions, events, books and online content, we explore the past, present and future of health. Our work is grounded in the belief that everyone’s experience of health matters.
Our collections cover a wide range of topics relating to health and the human experience in many forms, from recently published books to historical manuscripts and objects. We continue to expand our collections to reflect a greater diversity of voices and lived experiences. You can find out more about library membership here.
Email: info@wellcomecollection.org
West Sussex History of Medicine Society
Contact: Professor & Colonel (Retd) John Richardson. richardsondrj@aol.com
There are two medical museums in Worcester sharing a common website: www.medicalmuseum.org.uk
George Marshall Medical Museum and the Infirmary – Curator: Louise Price. Contact: louise.price10@nhs.net
The British Society for the History of Medicine is not responsible for the content of external sites.