| Administrative history | The Medical and Philosophical Society was founded in 1795 by John Abernethy, surgeon to St Bartholomew's Hospital from 1815 to 1827. Abernethy and Richard Powell, who was physician to the Hospital between 1801 and 1824, were the main supporters of the Society in its early years. In 1800, it was decided to form a library, and for Abernethy to enlist the support of the Medical Officers. Abernethy died in 1831, and the Society was re-formed as the Abernethian Society in 1832. |