The College Archives

Information for College Fellows, Members and other Researchers

The Royal College of Psychiatrists was founded in 1841 as the Association of Medical Officers of Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane. This Association changed its name to the Medico-Psychological Association in 1865 and to the Medico Psychological Association of Great Britain and Ireland in 1887. In 1926 it received a royal charter and thus became the Royal Medico Psychological Association and in 1971 it changed its status to that of a medical royal college.
 
Despite the College's long history, the College archives are not extensive. There are two possible reasons for this:
 
  1. The Association never had its own headquarters. From the late 19th century onwards it rented rooms with the Medical Society of London or the BMA and in 1974 the College moved to 17 Belgrave Square.
  2. The Association's journal, the Journal of Mental Science (now the British Journal of Psychiatry) was started in 1855 and from the first it printed the minutes of the Association's meetings. For a while these were also copied into the existing minute book but this practice was soon discontinued and the printed minutes became the only record.

 

Access

All the archives over 30 years old are open to College Fellows and Members. They are also open to other researchers by appointment at the discretion of the Archivist or College Secretary, and upon payment of a day charge of £10. Archives less than 30 years old are normally open only to College Fellows and Members.
 


 
  • History of the College
    Frequently asked questions, the search for accommodation, a history of standing committees and the evolution of special committees, divisions and sections, Belgrave Square and the College building, minutes, the history of Belgrave Square, literary quotes.
 
  • Adopt A Book

    The Royal College of Psychiatrists invites you to donate towards the conservation and repair of its antiquarian book collection.

     

  • Friends of the College Archives (FOCA)

    The group was established to support the College in the preservation, promotion and use of its archival heritage, and to promote interest in the history of the College and of British and Irish Psychiatry.

 

 

 

© 2010 Royal College of Psychiatrists