List of presidents of the History of Medicine Society explained

This is a list of presidents of the History of Medicine Society of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Numerous distinguished authors and historians became presidents and many more were invited to speak.

1912-1931

Years Image Name Comments
1912–1913Sir William Osler[1] British Canadian, known as "king of pranks", Osler was one of the "big four" founding members of the Johns Hopkins Hospital where he had arrived in 1888 as physician in chief. He is best remembered for establishing the medical residency programme, taking medical students to the bedside, writing major textbooks[2] and whilst in England as Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford, founding the history of medicine section at the RSM in 1912. Raymond Crawfurd described him as a "magnet" in attracting members. Undeterred by opposing Sir Richard Douglas Powell who felt the Society had too many sections already, Osler meticulously planned the establishment of the History section, individually writing to more than 160 potential members. He considered the section one of his better achievements in his later years and his wish was for it to be a common meeting place for "scholars, students and all those who feel that the study of the history of medicine has a value in education".
1913–1916British physician, lecturer in anatomy and pathology and historian, Moore is best known for his connection with the Royal College of Physicians, GMC and his writings on history of medicine.[3] To his disappointment he did not make the first president as Osler had recommended.
1916–1918Sir Raymond Henry Payne Crawfurd[4] Crawfurd graduated in classics from New College, Oxford in 1888, before studying medicine. Primarily physician and lecturer at King's College, he became its medical Dean and major player in moving the hospital to Denmark Hill, for which he was knighted in 1933. Due to chronic illness, he left active medicine and wrote on history of medicine, publications including, The Last Days of Charles II (1909), The King's Evil (1911) and Plague and Pestilence in Literature and Art (1914).[5]
1918–1919Sir D'Arcy Power[6] Physician at St Bartholemew's, Power was a prolific writer of medical history.[7] He later recalled how the section was "more like a family than an integral part of a great scientific society".
1920–1922Professor Charles Singer[8] Physician, pathologist and historian, he was invited to Oxford by William Osler in 1914, later becoming professor in history of medicine at University of London in 1930. One of the original history section members, Singer retained his position as editorial representative for twenty three years and maintained a high quality of the section's publications. He supported refugee scholars fleeing Nazi Europe and is known for his many publications of short histories. He kept a miniature set of traffic lights to control lengths of speakers, switching to red when they became dull or prolonged.[9]
1922–1924Sir Arnold ChaplinAfter studying at St. Bartholomew's Hospital Singer's primary appointment was at the City of London Hospital for Diseases of the Chest, where he remained for the next twenty-nine years. He co-authored the textbook on Fibroid Diseases of the Lung, and The Science and Art of Prescribing and wrote The Illness and Death of Napoleon Bonaparte (1913). He loved old books and prints, and became Harveian Librarian at the Royal College of Physicians.[10] [11]
1924–1926John Davy Rolleston[12] An original member of the Section, he was a member of the council, secretary and president.[13]
1926–1928Walter G. Spencer[14] Known as "The Historian of Westminster" by fellow medics
1928–1930Herbert R. Spencer[15] Obstetrician who wrote about William Harvey, midwifery and external cephalic version.
1930–1931Sir Humphry Rolleston[16] 57th president of RSM.

1931-1960

Years Image Name Comments
1931–1933Robert Oswald Moon[17] Consulting physician to the National Hospital for Diseases of the Heart and the Royal Waterloo Hospital and a staunch Liberal, and a member of the Reform Club. His main interest was in the classics and was demonstrated in his book on The Relation of Medicine to Philosophy, his Fitzpatrick Lecture before the Royal College of Physicians in 1921 on Hippocrates and his successors. He witnessed "three wars and contested five general elections".[18]
1933–1935Sir St Clair Thomson[19] Wrote book Diseases of the Nose and Throat and was president of the Royal Society of Medicine between 1925 and 1927.
1935–1937Edwin Goodall[20]
1937–1939Alexander Polycleitos Cawadias[21]
1941–1942John Frederick Halls Dally[22] Chest physician[23]
1942–1944
1944–1945
1945–1947
1947–1948Hubert James Norman, MB[24]
1948–1950Edgar Ashworth UnderwoodMarried Singer's daughter, director of the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, (1946-1964) & influenced Sir Henry Wellcome's collection. Revised Singer's short history of medicine (1962).[25] [26]
1950–1952Lilian Lindsay[27]
1952–1954
1954–1956Sir Zachary Cope[28] Physician and surgeon who wrote a textbook on surgery and the history of medicine. At the jubilee meeting of the section, he pleaded for younger professionals to be involved.
1956–1957Douglas GuthrieGuthrie, an ENT surgeon, wrote A History of Medicine (1945), which gained fame following a review by George Bernard Shaw.[29] He gave his presidential address in 1957 when he stated "…it is obvious that history supplies an essential basis of medicine. It gives us ideals to follow, inspirations for our work and hope for the future".[30]
1957–1959Sir Weldon Dalrymple-Champneys, Bt CB FRCP
1959–1960

1960-1990

Years Image Name Comments
1960–1962Kenneth David Keele[31]
1962–1964William Henry McMenemey[32]
1964–1966Accomplishing a great deal to promote history of medicine, Copeman attributed the establishment of the faculty of history of medicine and philosophy in 1959 to much of the section's influence.
1966–1968
1968–1970Sir Terence Cawthorne[33] ENT surgeon at King's College Hospital and various other London hospitals, Cawthorne also became president of the Harveian Society and the Royal Society of Medicine. He was knighted in 1964. In 1968, he was elected president of the section.However, he died before delivering his address.
1970–1972Kenneth Bryn Thomas[34]
1972–1973Richard Alfred Hunter[35]
1973–1975William Hartston[36] Chest physician and lecturer for DHMSA.
1975–1977Frederick F Cartwright[37] Anaesthetist with special interest in Otolaryngology, Cartwright published on history of medicine, became Head of the Department of History of Medicine at King's College Medical School, London and was active at the Faculty of History of Medicine and Philosophy of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries.
1977–1979Alan Waller Woodruff[38]
1979–1981Peter Maxwell Daniel[39]
1981–1983Thomas Douglas Whittet[40]
1983–1985Gweneth Whitteridge[41]
1986–1987Victor Cornelius Medvei[42]
1987–1988John M. T. Ford[43] Actively involved in the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries
1988–1989Alex Sakula[44]
1989–1990Theodore T. Macadam[45]

1990 onwards

Years Image Name Comments
1990–1991Henry R. Rollin[46]
1991–1992John R. Kircup[47]
1992–1993Richard Creese[48]
1993–1994Denis Dunbar Gibbs[49]
1994–1995 Aileen Adams[50]
1995–1996Dame Josephine Barnes[51]
1996–1997 Elliott E. Philipp[52]
1997–1998
1998–1999Michael A. Smith
1999–2000
2000–2001Nicholas Cambridge[53]
2001–2002 Neil Weir[54]
2002–2003
2003–2004Gordon Cook[55]
2004–2005Sue Weir[56]
2005–2006K. M. N. Kunzru[57]
2006–2007[58]
2007–2008
2008–2009Jean Guy[59]
2009–2010Tina Matthews[60]
2010–2011Claire Elliott[61]
2011–2012
2012–2013Richard Pusey[62]
2013–2014Jennian Geddes[63]
2014–2015Emeritus professor of dental public health and honorary professor of the history of dentistry at King's College London. He is a former curator of the British Dental Association's museum.[64]
2015–2016David Siegler[65] [66] -->
2016–2017Julie Papworth[67]
2017–2018
2019–2020Stephen J. ChallacombeProfessor of oral medicine at King's College in London, best known for research in oromucosal immunology and for developing the Challacombe scale for measuring the extent of dryness of the mouth. He led the team that laid out research challenges of global health inequalities and oral health, particularly relating to the oral manifestations of HIV.[68] [69]
2020–2021
2021–2022
2022-2023 Christopher Gardner-Thorpe[70]
2023-2024 Hilary Morris [71]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hunting, Penelope. The History of The Royal Society of Medicine. https://books.google.com/books?id=hFNrAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA=330. Royal Society of Medicine Press. 2002. 978-1853154973. 8. From anaesthetics to proctology:Section of the history of medicine. 330–332.
  2. http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/about/history/history5.html Johns Hopkins Medicine: The Four Founding Professors
  3. Web site: Munks Roll Details for Norman (Sir) Moore. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. 18 June 2018.
  4. Dodds. Charles. Payne. L.M.. 1963. Sir Raymond Crawfurd. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine. 56. Suppl 1. 19–24. 0035-9157. 1896754. 14044492. 10.1177/00359157630560S106.
  5. Web site: Brown. G.H.. Raymond Henry Payne (Sir) Crawfurd. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 17 June 2018.
  6. Book: Henderson, Moll, J. M. H. (John) Michael. Presidents of the Royal Society of Medicine : illustrated profiles, 1805–1996 : Dr. William Saunders to Sir Donald Harrison. 1996. Royal Society of Medicine Press. 978-1853152641. London. 265–266. 36506805.
  7. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine. 1963. 56. Suppl 1. 24–25. Sir D'Arcy Power. W. R.. LeFanu. 1896749. 14044493. 10.1177/00359157630560S107.
  8. Web site: Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine Faculty of History. www.history.ox.ac.uk. en. 2017-07-25.
  9. Underwood . E Ashworth . Charles Singer, the Man and the Historian . Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine . October 1962 . 55 . 10 . 853–860 . 1896860 . 13995364 . 10.1177/003591576205501011 .
  10. Web site: Obituary of Dr. Thomas Hancock Arnold Chaplin. Graham. George H.. ghgraham.org. 18 June 2018.
  11. Web site: Brown. G.H.. Thomas Hancock Arnold Chaplin. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. 7 August 2017.
  12. Book: Proceedings of the royal society of medicine – 56 – 1963 – supplement. H. K. Lewis & Co. Ltd.. 1962. Royal Society of Medicine Library. 1–9.
  13. Web site: Munks Roll Details for John Davy Rolleston. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. 3 July 2018.
  14. OBITUARY. BMJ. 9 November 1940. 2. 4166. 649–652. 10.1136/bmj.2.4166.649. 220202012.
  15. OBITUARY. BMJ. 13 September 1941. 2. 4210. 389–390. 10.1136/bmj.2.4210.389-a. 220144154.
  16. masthead. Proc R Soc Med. 56. Suppl 1. 1963. 1896746.
  17. Web site: Brown. G H. Robert Oswald Moon. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  18. Robert Oswald Moon, D.M. Oxfd, F.R.C.P., J.P. . . 262 . 6780 . 8 August 1953 . 303 . 10.1016/S0140-6736(53)91153-2.
  19. Web site: Thomson, Sir St Clair - Biographical entry - Plarr's Lives of the Fellows Online . Livesonline.rcseng.ac.uk . 2017-08-27.
  20. Web site: Brown. G H. Edwin Goodall. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  21. Web site: Franklin. A W. Alexander Polycleitos Cawadias. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  22. Book: Alumni Cantabrigienses : a Biographical List of All Known Students, Graduates and Holders of Office at the University of Cambridge, from the Earliest Times to 1900. Volume 2 Part 2. From 1752 to 1900.. 2011. Cambridge University Press. Venn, John Archibald., Venn, John.. 9781108036122. Cambridge. 215. 889954771.
  23. Obituary- John Frederick Halls Dally. BMJ. 23 December 1944. 2. 4381. 837. 10.1136/bmj.2.4381.835-a. 2287101.
  24. Group. British Medical Journal Publishing. 10 April 1948. Obituary. Br Med J. en. 1. 4553. 710–711. 10.1136/bmj.1.4553.710. 2090465. 0007-1447.
  25. 29 March 1980. Obituary, E A Underwood. British Medical Journal. 1. 6218. 948–950. 1601063.
  26. 1980. Obituary, E A Underwood. Medical History. 24. 3. 349–352. 1082661. 6997660 . Rowbottom . ME. 10.1017/s0025727300040382.
  27. Web site: Women in dentistry. www.bda.org.
  28. July 1975. Obituary: Vincent Zachary Cope, Kt., M.D., M.S., F.R.C.S.. Medical History. 19. 3. 307–308. 0025-7273. 1081645. 1095868. 10.1017/s0025727300020317. Lefanu. William.
  29. Macintyre. Iain. May 2018. The legacy of Douglas Guthrie (1885-1975), surgeon and medical historian. Journal of Medical Biography. 26. 2. 95–101. 10.1177/0967772018755204. 1758-1087. 29405816. 46849528.
  30. Book: Berridge, Virginia. https://books.google.com/books?id=a7Xng6klfYEC&q=history+of+medicine+guthrie&pg=PA171. The Cambridge Social History of Britain, 1750-1950. 1990. Cambridge University Press. 0521438144. Thompson. F. M. L.. 171. en. 4. Health and Medicine.
  31. Web site: Keele. C.A.. Kenneth David Keele. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  32. Web site: Robb-Smith. AHT. William Henry McMenemey. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  33. Web site: Cawthorne, Sir Terence Edward - Biographical entry - Plarr's Lives of the Fellows Online . Livesonline.rcseng.ac.uk . 2017-08-27.
  34. Web site: Thomas, Dr K Bryn: Archive Description. www.aim25.ac.uk. AIM25. 7 August 2017.
  35. Web site: Payne. LM. Richard Alfred Hunter. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  36. Web site: Sakula. A. William Hartston. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  37. News: Frederick Fox Cartwright.
  38. Web site: Cook. G C. Alan Waller Woodruff. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  39. Web site: Munks Roll Details for Peter Maxwell Daniel. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. 24 June 2018.
  40. News: Dr T. D. Whittet. The Times (London). 62748. 21 April 1987.
  41. Web site: Payne. L M. Gweneth Whitteridge. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  42. Web site: Besser. G M. Victor Cornelius Medvei. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  43. RSM Sections Calendar 1987-1989. Calendar. Royal Society of Medicine library. 25. 0261-4162.
  44. Group. British Medical Journal Publishing. Alex Sakula. BMJ. 12 February 2004. 328. 7436. 409. 10.1136/bmj.328.7436.409-e. 220114385. en. 0959-8138.
  45. RSM Sections Calendar 1989-1990. Calendar. Royal Society of Medicine library. 26. 0261-4162.
  46. Forrester. Andrew. Henry R. Rollin. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology. December 2008. 19. 4. 632–637. 10.1080/14789940802012919. 145000929.
  47. Kircup. John. 1995. John Hunter's Surgical Instruments and Operative Procedures. Vesalius. 1. 1. 22–26. 11618541.
  48. Book: Health of Prisoners: Historical Essays - Google Books . 27 August 2017. 978-9051838176 . Creese . Richard . Bearn . J. . 1995 . Rodopi .
  49. Web site: Ford. John M.T.. Ward. John W.K.. Denis Dunbar Gibbs. munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk. Royal College of Physicians. 7 August 2017.
  50. News: The Council, 20 April 2015, Report of the Honorary Degrees Committee. White. Paul. 20 April 2015. University of Sheffiel, Honorary degrees committee.
  51. News: Radiology History & Heritage Charitable Trust, An Occasional Newsletter. Thomas. Adrian. 1996.
  52. Setchell. Marcus. Elliot Philipp. BMJ. 3 November 2010. 341. c6095. 10.1136/bmj.c6095. 220095640. en. 0959-8138.
  53. Web site: Dr Nicholas Cambridge. www.buckingham.ac.uk. University of Buckingham. 7 August 2017.
  54. Weir. Neil. February 2005. Editorial. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology. 119. 2. 85–86. 10.1258/0022215053419961. free.
  55. Web site: COOK . Grahamtall.co.uk . 2017-08-27.
  56. Web site: Our tour leaders . Jon Baines Tours . 2017-08-27.
  57. Web site: Alumni Association . IITUK . 2009-11-12 . 2017-08-27.
  58. News: Former GP and 'great champion' of Malvern dies aged 90 . 20 June 2023 . Worcester News . 1 March 2023 . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20240116191348/https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/23355231.dr-john-harcup-former-gp-malvern-historian-dies-90/. 16 January 2024.
  59. Web site: / lavenhamchurch . Jean Margaret Guy, MD, FRCR, DHMSA. 9th September 1941 – 11th February 2012 | Lavenham Church . Lavenhamchurch.wordpress.com . 2012-03-02 . 2017-08-27.
  60. Web site: Epsom College . History Section of the RSM meets at Epsom College . Epsomcollege.org.uk . 6 June 2010. 2017-08-27.
  61. Web site: Birte Twisselmann: Medical history in film and literature at the Royal Society of Medicine – The BMJ. blogs.bmj.com. en-US. 2018-02-13. 25 May 2011.
  62. News: OE Medical Society Black Tie Dinner Royal College of Surgeons Friday 6th March 2015 7.00pm. Old Epsomian Club.
  63. News: Royal Society of Medicine Annual Report 2013/14. 8. 2014. 2019-07-10.
  64. 25 July 2014. Dentist honoured with History of Medicine presidency. British Dental Journal. 217 . 2 . 59 . 10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.612 . 13113946 .
  65. Web site: A novelist and a surgeon. www.rsm.ac.uk. 17 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180618002842/https://www.rsm.ac.uk/events/events-listing/2015-2016/sections/history-of-medicine-society/hsg02-a-novelist-and-a-surgeon.aspx. 18 June 2018. dead.
  66. Web site: Doc hangs up his stethoscope.
  67. Web site: The Royal Society of Medicine Annual Report 2016/17. 35. www.rsm.ac.uk.
  68. Book: Manual of Clinical Procedures in Dentistry. Wilson. Nairn. Dunne. Stephen. 2018. John Wiley & Sons. 9780470670521. 30. en.
  69. Web site: Professor Stephen Challacombe. www.kcl.ac.uk. 28 September 2019.
  70. Web site: Barts and Lancaster medical students win history of medicine prize . www.rsm.ac.uk . 24 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230624061213/https://www.rsm.ac.uk/latest-news/2023/barts-and-lancaster-medical-students-win-history-of-medicine-prize/ . 24 June 2023 . en-gb . 16 February 2023.
  71. Web site: History of Medicine Society The Royal Society of Medicine . www.rsm.ac.uk . 16 January 2024 . en-gb . 1 October 2023.