ORIGINS AND OBJECTIVES
The Faculty was founded in 1959 as a separate body within the Society of Apothecaries
to "foster and extend interest in medical history". Academic in character and
a charity by constitution, membership is open to the public and is encouraged
from any interested person or organisation. The Faculty teaches, and disseminates
knowledge about, medical history and has close links with several universities.
APOTHECARIES’ LECTURERS
The Faculty’s educational role has increased recently with the greater emphasis
placed on medical history in the medical undergraduate curriculum, and it appoints
lecturers to the following university medical schools: Brighton & Sussex,
Birmingham, Bristol, Dundee, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, The Peninsula, Queen’s
- Belfast, St Andrews and the University College of Wales Swansea. In London there
are Apothecaries’ Lecturers at the St. Bartholomew’s and The Royal London, London
– Institute of Psychiatry, St George’s and at the Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’
medical schools.
The majority of these lecturers have set up special study modules, success in
which counts towards final graduation.
THREE-DAY COURSE FOR UNDERGRADUATES
Each spring the Faculty, in conjunction with The Wellcome Trust Centre for the
History of Medicine at UCL, runs a three-day course for undergraduates as an introduction
to medical history. Application to join this course is through the London and
Brighton medical schools. Students have lectures at Apothecaries’ Hall, where
they are also introduced to the Society of Apothecaries’ archives and treasures,
after which they are guided around several of London’s sites of medico-historical
interest.
A number of past students have gone on to take the BSc course in medical history
at The Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine, UCL.
DIPLOMA COURSE IN THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE
The Faculty runs an annual Diploma Course in the History of Medicine. This course
prepares candidates who opt to be examined for the Diploma in the History of Medicine
of the Society of Apothecaries (DHMSA).
DIPLOMA COURSE IN THE ETHICS AND PHILOSOPHY OF HEALTHCARE
The Faculty runs an annual Diploma Course in the Ethics and Philosophy of Healthcare.
This course prepares candidates who opt to be examined for the Diploma in the
Philosophy of Medicine of the Society of Apothecaries (DPMSA). The Selwyn prize
is awarded to the best candidate in the examination for the Diploma in the Philosophy
of Medicine and it is usually presented at the John Locke Lecture.
For further details of the Courses, contact:
For further details of the Examinations, contact:
MACCABAEAN PRIZE AND MEDAL
Through the generosity of the Maccabaeans, the Faculty is able to offer an annual
prize of £200 and a medal for the best dissertation in the examination for the
DHMSA, which is usually presented at the Osler Lecture.
EPONYMOUS LECTURES
Six evening lectures, known as the Eponymous Lectures, are held for members of
the Faculty throughout the academic year at Apothecaries’ Hall. They are presented
by invited speakers; past lecturers from this annual series have included the
Viscount Hailsham, Dr Jonathan Miller, Professor Roy Porter, the Rt Hon Dr J Dickson
Mabon, Marcel Marceau, Dame Cicely Wedgwood, Lord Cohen of Birkenhead and Professor
Hugh Trevor-Roper. Each lecture is followed by a subscription supper in the Great
Hall.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the Faculty is open to anyone who has an interest in the history
and philosophy of medicine and pharmacy.
The annual subscription rate is currently £30 or £15 (for students in full-time
education).
For further information regarding Membership please contact:
The Administrative Secretary,
The Faculty of the History and Philosophy of Medicine and Pharmacy,
Society of Apothecaries,
Apothecaries’ Hall,
Black Friars Lane,
London EC4V 6EJ
