Our History
Lettsom House, Home to The Medical Society of London
Contact Lettsom House to find out why our historic venue is unique and perfect to host your event, function or meeting in the centre of London.
The Medical Society of London, founded in 1773, unlike the other societies at the time was not restricted to naval surgeons, or to hospital physicians, to licentiates of the Royal College or those associated with a particular hospital. It was however established as a forum for physicians, surgeons, apothecaries and accoucheurs to give them the opportunity of meeting together for the exchange of medical intelligence. There was no other society where the different branches of the medical profession could meet on equal terms to learn from one another.
Of the twelve medical societies born in London in the second half of the eighteenth century, six survived to 1800, decreasing to only four by 1810. Later, the Hunterian Society founded in 1819 and the Harveian Society founded in 1831, were established and still hold their meetings in Lettsom House to this day.
