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.
Contact: Dr Peter Carpenter (Hon Secretary)
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.
The Society endeavours to establish and maintain contacts nationally and internationally with other societies for historical studies of pharmacy. Overall, its work and the information it disseminates helps to advance knowledge and understanding about the history of pharmacy.
Email: honsec@bshp.org
British Society for the History of Radiology
De Partu History of Childbirth Group
De Partu is interested in all aspects of childbirth and midwifery, from Ancient Egypt to the present day. Although it is principally an online forum, with a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@de_partu), we also aim to have a ‘real’ meeting every year.
Our book reviews naturally focus on the history of childbirth and midwifery in its broadest sense, and have recently extended in scope to include relevant historical fiction. No date limit is set for inclusion, since older work may still be of scholarly value.
Contact: Dr Janette Allotey. Email: jcadepartu@gmail.com
Devon & Exeter Medical Heritage Trust
Celebrating the heritage, achievements and ongoing relevance of military medicine for healthcare worldwide. You are warmly 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. Email: chairman@friendsofmillbank.org
Friends of the Museum of Military Medicine
Email: 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.
Historical Medical Equipment Society
Email: petermohr@btinternet.com
History of Medicine Society of Wales
Lancaster Health and Medical Museum Collection
Contact: Mr Bryan Rhodes. Email: mrbrhodes1@gmail.com
Lindsay Society for the History of Dentistry
Contact: Dr Brian Williams. Email: brianwilliams14@btinternet.com
The British Dental Association has a museum in central London, open to all.
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 four Corps of the Army Medical Services: the Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, Royal Army Dental Corps, and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps. It promotes heritage initiatives relating to the four AMS Corps and fosters an ‘Esprit de Corps’.
Contact: Jason Semmens, Director. Email: 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.
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.
Royal Society of Medicine – History of Medicine Society
Email: history@rsm.ac.uk
Tel: (+44) (0) 20 7290 2985
1 Wimpole Street, London W1G 0AE
The Scottish Society of the History of Medicine
Hon Secretary: Dr John Clark. Email: jcclark@doctors.org.uk
Science Museum (Medicine Curatorial Team)
Sheffield Aesculapian Society
Contact Dr Stephen Brennan. Email: stevebrennan2000@yahoo.co.uk
Suffolk Medical History Society
Contact Hon Sec Dr Paul Siklos. Email: paulsiklos@gmail.com
The society hosts the website for Suffolk Medical Biographies: https://www.suffolkmedicalbiographies.uk/
Surgeons’ Hall Museums Edinburgh
Email: library@wellcomecollection.org
wellcomecollection.org/
Membership of the library is free for anyone with a research or study interest in the history and progress of medicine.
E-registration is available in advance of visiting or to receive news.
As well as extensive document collections the library has a large collection of images, very many of them already available in electronic form.
West Sussex History of Medicine Society
Contact: Professor & Colonel (Retd) John Richardson. Email: 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. Email: louise.price10@nhs.net
Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of
London (Faculty of the History and
Philosophy of Medicine and Pharmacy)
Tel: 020 7236 1189 www.apothecaries.org
The Faculty run two diploma courses. The Diploma in the History of Medicine and the Diploma in Ethics and Philosophy.
Contact: Maria Ferran, Faculty Manager & Webmaster. Email: facultyhp@apothecaries.org
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.
Email: friends@apothecaries.org
Both Faculty and Friends of the Archives hold evening lectures with eminent international speakers that are worldly renowned. Memberships are available for all of the above.
The schedule of forthcoming Eponymous lectures (with subscription supper) is available at www.apothecaries.org
The British Society for the History of Medicine is not responsible for the content of external sites.