| Administrative History | The Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society was established in 1789. It was initially known as the Aberdeen Medical Society but changed its name in 1812. The Founders' Plaque, on display in the Society's Council Chamber, lists the twelve founders of the Society:
James McGrigor (1771-1858), military surgeon and Director-General of the Army Medical Department. [See AMCS/4/1 'Papers of Sir James McGrigor' for further information.]
James Robertson, Student of Arts, Marischal College, 1785-90.
Colin Allan, Student of Arts, Marischal College, 1788-92; MD Marischal College 1799. Regimental Surgeon and Principal Medical Officer, Halifax, Nova Scotia. President, 1820.
Robert Donald [later Harvey] (1770-1825), Student of Arts, Marischal College, 1784-88, physician in Aberdeen. Married Mary Gordon, daughter of Alexander Gordon, author of 'Treatise on the epidemic puerperal fever of Aberdeen' (1795) [See MS 632]. His son, Alexander Harvey, became Professor of Materia Medica at University of Aberdeen, 1860-78. President, 1818.
John Gordon (from Glenfiddich), Student of Arts, Marischal College, 1789-91. Surgeon, HEICS.
John Grant (1771-1860), military surgeon, AM 1791. First Librarian, appointed 1791.
George Kerr (1771-1826), Student of Arts, Marischal College, 1786-90; physician in Aberdeen. President, 1790. He was also Secretary and Treasurer. In 1791 Kerr joined the crew of the Aberdeen-registered 'Christian' as ship's surgeon during its voyage to the northern whaling fishery. He subsequently continued his medical studies at Edinburgh, before returning to Aberdeen where he practised medicine for the rest of his life. See MS 2238: Diary of whaling expedition, February-August 1791.
Joseph Mackay (from Peterculter), AM 1792, Marischal College.
Alex Mitchell (from Glen Isla), AM 1791, Marischal College.
James Moir (1770-1861) physician in Aberdeen and Senior Physician to the Infirmary (1808-14). President 1825, 1832 and 1838.
William Shepherd (from Virginia), AM 1790, Marischal College; MD 1792. First Treasurer of Society.
James Smith (from Slains, Aberdeenshire), AM 1793.
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George Rose, Student of Arts, Marischal College, 1787-91. Surgeon in Coldstream Guards [not listed on plaque but see Minute book 1, AMCS/1/1/1/1 where his name appears on the original list of members].
William Livingston (1760-1822). Professor of Medicine, Marischal College, 1793-1822. Honorary President, 1791-1812 [See minute of 15 February 1791 (p.41)] and first President following the re-constitution of the Society in 1812. See 'The Heritage of the Med-Chi', pages 20-21, for more information. |