IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0114 MS0161
Held at: Royal College of Surgeons of England
Title: West London Medico-Chirurgical Society
Date(s): 1886-1908
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 2 volumes
Name of creator(s): West London Medico-Chirurgical Society
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The West London Medico-Chirurgical Society was formed in 1882 on the proposal of Charles Robert Bell Keetley (FRCS). The Society was formed at the West London Hospital in 1882, attended by approximately 50 medical men. The first meeting of the society was on 6 Oct 1882, with the inaugural address given by Dr Hart Vinen, the first President. The purpose of the Society was the cultivation and promotion of the science and practice of medicine, for the use, advantage and association of medical men of the district of west London. The Society announced an annual lecture in 1884, to be called the Cavendish Lecture, after the natural philosopher, Henry Cavendish (1731-1810). Distinquished men of the day were invited to give the lecture, mostly on clinical subjects related to medicine and surgery, with occasional lectures on related subjects. Also in 1884 the Society resolved to publish their Proceedings. In 1896, this became the West London Medical Journal, edited by Mr Percy Dunn, and was published on a quarterly basis. The Society proposed the formation of a library in 1885, where the Proceedings of the Society could be accessed by all members. The Society contained Honorary members and Members. The affairs of the Society were carried out by a governing body of thirty three members, including a President, six honorary vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, two Secretaries, an editor of the Journal, an Editorial Secretary, a Librarian and twelve other Members.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of the West London Medico-Chirurgical Society, 1886-1908, comprising a volume titled Minute Book Volume 1 containing minutes, 1886-1908; and a volume titled Minute Book Volume 3 containing minutes, 1889.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
As outlined in Scope and Content.
Conditions governing access:
By written appointment only.
Conditions governing reproduction:
No photocopying permitted.
Finding aids:
Additional manuscripts catalogue.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Accruals:
Archival history:
Mr J V H Kemble received the volumes from Dr Halls Dally, a former editor of the West London Medical Journal.
Immediate source of acquisition:
Donated by Mr James Victor Harvey Kemble (FRCS), in 1980. His father, James Kemble (FRCS), was secretary of the Society and editor of the West London Medical Journal.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related material:
Further minutes of the West London Medico-Chirurgical Society are held at the Hammersmith and Fulham Archives and Local History Centre, including Volume 2, Oct 1892 - Feb 1899; Volume 4, Jan 1908 - Jun 1914; Volume 5 Jun 1914 - Apr 1923; and Volume 6, Apr 1923 - Jan 1930.
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Compiled by Anya Turner.
Source: Minutes of the West London Medico-Chirurgical Society; British Medical Societies edited by Sir D'Arcy Power, London, 1939.
Date(s) of descriptions: Sep 2008