Royal Medical Society

This article is about the Edinburgh student society. It is not to be confused with Royal Society of Medicine.

The Royal Medical Society (RMS) is a society run by students at the University of Edinburgh Medical School, Scotland. It claims to be the oldest medical society in the United Kingdom although this claim is also made by the earlier London-based Society of Apothecaries[1] (1617) which is permitted to award medical degrees. The current President of the 280th session, is fourth year medical student, Mr Michael Dias.[2] The RMS is a professional society engaged in the advancement of medical knowledge and provision of assistance to medical students and professionals.

History

In 1737 it was established as 'the Medical Society' in 1737. It was granted a Royal Charter in 1778.[3]

Sale of library

The RMS sold its extensive library, built up throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, at 3 sales at Sotheby's in London in 1969. Much of the collection was purchased by the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[4][5]

The society today

The RMS hosts talks for students on Tuesdays.[6] After each lecture, members hold a private business meeting and provide an opportunity for students to present their research to their peers.

The society also organises social events. These include the Welcome Week events (including a White Coat Pub Crawl), Hallowe'en parties, a Burns Supper and the Presidents' Annual Dinner — a black tie ball held each November. The RMS has a fund for travel and study grants which are awarded to facilitate members to pursue research at home or abroad.[7]

The RMS owns rooms above Potterrow, the Edinburgh Students Union building, on Bristo Square. Members have 24-hour access to all academic facilities including: a lecture theatre, a well-stocked medical library, a computer suite and a learning resource centre as well as a kitchen, TV area, pool table and a seating lounge. During the Edinburgh International Festival, the rooms are used as a performance venue for Pleasance promoters and host the Performers'/VIP bar (Brooke's Bar). The estate, is managed by the RMS Trust, which has charitable status.[8]

The day-to-day running of the Society is managed by the RMS Council - consisting of a Senior President, three Junior Presidents and 11 Conveners, each concerned with particular areas of the Society.[9]

Notable members

Detail of painting of Dr Sir Stuart Threipland, of Fingask (1716-1805); Bonnie Prince Charlie's physician during the Rising, and President of the Royal Medical Society (1766-1770).

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.apothecaries.org/society
  2. ↑ http://www.royalmedical.co.uk/council/currentsession/
  3. ↑ http://www.royalmedical.co.uk/about/
  4. ↑ Ebling Library for the Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison
  5. ↑ Crawford, H. (October 1970). "The Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh: sale of its library at Sotheby's". Bull Med Libr Assoc. 58 (4): 531–47.
  6. ↑ http://www.royalmedical.co.uk/events/
  7. ↑ http://www.royalmedical.co.uk/travel-study-fund
  8. ↑ "Charity Details: Royal Medical Society Trust, SC011518: Registered charity from 10 August 1896". Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  9. ↑ http://www.royalmedical.co.uk/council

External links

Coordinates: 55°56′42″N 3°11′22″W / 55.94500°N 3.18944°W / 55.94500; -3.18944

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