Medical Society of London

The Medical Society of London is one of the oldest surviving medical societies (being organisations of voluntary association, rather than regulation or training) in the United Kingdom.

Medical Society of London
Formation1773

History

It was founded in 1773 by the Quaker physician and philanthropist John Coakley Lettsome for physicians, surgeons and apothecaries who met to exchange medical news and confer about difficult cases.[1] Lettsome himself served as president of the new society in 1775–1776, 1784–1785, 1809–1811 and 1813–1815.

James Sims was president from 1786 to 1808 and during his long term of office some members of the society, led by William Saunders, became so offended by his autocratic style that in 1805 26 of them formed themselves into a new medical society, the Medical and Chirurgical Society of London, which later merged with other medical specialist societies to form the Royal Society of Medicine.[2]

The Society's wide appeal in the eighteenth century, the possession of a valuable library (originally purchased from Sims) and freehold property (donated by Lettsome) helped to ensure the society's success at that time.[3] Originally based in the City of London, it moved in 1873 to its present location in Lettsom House, Chandos Street, near Cavendish Square in the heart of London's medical community. This early 19th-century building was originally owned by the Earl of Gainsborough, and is now also home to several related societies who share the facilities.[4] The library has since been purchased by the Wellcome Trust.[5]

Lectures and awards

The Lettsomian lecture is delivered annually by a fellow of the society.

The Fothergillian gold medal,[6] named in honour of physician John Fothergill, Lettsome's patron, is awarded every three years in consultation with the Royal College of Physicians (to be awarded every five years from 2010). The present prize, founded in 1824, is funded by the will of Anthony Fothergill and prior to 1888 was awarded annually. The original award, sponsored by Lettsome, was introduced in 1787 and awarded until 1803.

Fothergill gold medal winners

Source: Source (1787–1902):

Presidents

After the somewhat autocratic 22-year presidency of James Sims a motion was passed in 1805 that :"'No gentlemen be eligible to the office of President or Vice-president for more than two years in succession." The Presidents are listed below with their year of election to the position.

Source (1773–1902):[7]

References
  1. James, D. Geraint; Kinsella-Bevan, R. (February 2004). "Some presidents of the Medical Society of London". Journal of Medical Biography. 12 (1): 38–42. doi:10.1177/096777200401200110. ISSN 0967-7720. PMID 14740023.
  2. Hunting, P (2005). "The Royal Society of Medicine". Postgraduate Medical Journal. 81 (951): 45–48. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2003.018424. PMC 1743179. PMID 15640428.
  3. DUKES CE (September 1960). "London Medical Societies in the Eighteenth Century". Proc. R. Soc. Med. Royal Society of Medicine. 53 (9): 699–706. PMC 1871274. PMID 13724882.
  4. Hunting, P (10 June 2004). "The Medical Society of London". Postgraduate Medical Journal. 80 (944): 350–354. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2003.017319. PMC 1743020. PMID 15192169.
  5. Mitchell, Tean (1984). "The Medical Society of London and its library". Health Libraries Review. 1 (4): 213–214. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2532.1984.140213.x.
  6. Booth, C. C. (October 1981). "The Fothergillian medals of the Medical Society of London (John Fothergill)". Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London. 15 (4): 254–258. ISSN 0035-8819. PMC 5377706. PMID 7033521.
  7. "Transactions of the Medical Society of London". Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  8. "Barker, Thomas Herbert (1814 - 1865)". livesonline.rcseng.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  9. Lord Walton of Detchant (2013). "Frank Clifford Rose". British Medical Journal. 346: f417. doi:10.1136/bmj.f417. S2CID 220106214. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  10. "AIM25 collection description". aim25.com. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  11. "an introduction to the history of medicine society". the Royal Society of Medicine. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
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