Royal Society of Medicine
The Medical and Chirurgical Society of London was founded on 22nd May 1805 with the aim of bringing together physicians and surgeons in order to further scientific, professional and social communication. This body eventually became the Royal Society of Medicine.
Between 1907 and 1909 seventeen specialist societies joined who brought with them their varied collections including administrative archives, rare books, art, silverware and medical equipment. Today the Royal Society of Medicine has 60 Sections ranging from Cardiology to the History of Medicine and to Psychiatry.
Integral to the functioning of the Society was the formation of a library which is now one of the largest postgraduate biomedical collections in Europe, totalling 600,000 volumes, including around 45,000 rare books and manuscripts. Highlights of the collection include the Exercitatio anatomica de motu cordis et sanguinis in animalibus by William Harvey published in 1628.
Visit http://www.rsm.ac.uk/librar/index.php for more information on library services and events.
Contact Us
The Royal Society of Medicine
1 Wimpole Street
London
W1G 0AE
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7290 2940 / 2941
Email: library@rsm.ac.uk
Web: http://www.rsm.ac.uk
Access to archival and library material requires a temporary membership. Two proofs of identification will need to be shown.
Temporary Library Membership rates:
Half day (after 1pm or on Saturdays) £6
Daily £10
Weekly £20
Monthly £35
Visitor Information
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 - 19:00
Friday : 9:00 - 17:30
Saturday 10:00 - 16:30
The Library will be closed on Bank Holiday weekends, though the Study Centre may be available. Please contact the Library to confirm opening hours.
Tours of the RSM and library exhibitions are open to the public and are free.
Accessibility: Wheelchair is available at reception. All floors of the library are accessible via a lift/ramp. One public disabled parking space.
Bond Street, Oxford Circus
6, 7, 10, 13, 15, 23, 25, 30, 55, 73, 94, 98, 113, 137, 139, 159, 175, 189, 274, 390Exhibitions
One hundred years at Number One
26 March - 31 May 2012
On May 21 1912 the Royal Society of Medicine's first dedicated home at No. 1 Wimpole Street was officially opened by King George V and Queen Mary.
One Hundred Years at Number One is an exhibition to mark the centenary of this event and includes copies of architects' plans, tickets and invitations to the 1912 opening, newspaper cuttings, photographs, letters, the story of how the RSM acquired its prestigious address, material relating to the evening of entertainment held the day after the official opening, and the pen with which the King signed his name when borrowing the first book to be loaned by the new Library.
The exhibition will be on the second-floor of the RSM Library and is open to the public. Admission is free of charge.
Opening hours:
Monday–Thursday: 9.00 – 19.00
Friday: 9.00 – 17.30
Saturday: 10.00 – 16.30
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