Royal Microscopical Society

Royal Microscopical Society
FoundedSeptember 1839, Royal Charter in 1866[1]
TypeProfessional organisation and registered charity
Registration no.241990
Purposeto promote the advancement of microscopical science by such means as the discussion and publication of research into improvements in the construction and mode of application of microscopes and into those branches of science where microscopy is important.
Location
  • 37–38 St. Clements Street,
    Oxford, England, OX4 1AJ[2]
Coordinates51°45′01″N 1°14′32″W / 51.750374°N 1.2422313°W / 51.750374; -1.2422313
OriginsMicroscopical Society of London
Area served
UK, worldwide
Members
1379[3]
Key people
President Peter J O'Toole
Vice President M. Grace Burke
Vice President Rik Brydson
Patrons:[4] *Baroness Finlay of Llandaff *Baroness Brown of Cambridge
Revenue
£1,639,504 (year ending Dec 2015[2]
Employees
17[2]
Volunteers
100[2]
Websitewww.rms.org.uk

The Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) is a learned society for the promotion of microscopy. It was founded in 1839 as the Microscopical Society of London making it the oldest organisation of its kind in the world. In 1866, the Society gained its royal charter and took its current name. Founded as a society of amateurs, its membership consists of individuals of all skill levels in numerous related fields from throughout the world.[5] Every year since 1841, the Society has published its own scientific journal, the Journal of Microscopy, which contains peer-reviewed papers and book reviews. The Society is a registered charity that is dedicated to advancing science, developing careers and supporting wider understanding of science and microscopy through its Outreach activities.

Probably the Society's greatest contribution is its standardised 3x1 inches microscope glass slides in 1840, which are still the most widely used size today and known as the "RMS standard".[6]

The Royal Microscopical Society is a member of the Foundation for Science and Technology, the European Microscopy Society and the International Federation of Societies for Microscopy.

  1. ^ Study Guide – Diploma of the Royal Microscopical Society. Royal Microscopical Society. 2010. p. 2. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "Financial history – 241990 – ROYAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY". charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  3. ^ "REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2015" (PDF). apps.charitycommission.gov.uk. 31 December 2015. p. 5 (7). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference RMS-RFS2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Clubs and societies". Quekett Microscopical Club. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  6. ^ Connett, Jess (4 October 2017). "The art of the invisible". Bristol24-7. Retrieved 7 October 2017.