Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Established1907; 117 years ago (1907)
FounderJames Cantlie
George Carmichael Low
HeadquartersLondon, England
President
Prof. Gail Davey

The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene,[1] more commonly known by its acronym RSTMH, was founded in 1907 by Sir James Cantlie and George Carmichael Low. Sir Patrick Manson, the Society's first President (1907–1909), was recognised as "the father of tropical medicine" by his biographer.[2] He passed the post on to Sir Ronald Ross (president 1909–1911), discoverer of the role of mosquitoes in the transmission of malaria.

The objectives of RSTMH are "to promote and advance the study, control and prevention of diseases in man and other animals in the tropics and sub-tropics, facilitate discussion and exchange of information among those who are interested in tropical diseases and international health, and generally to promote the work of those interested in these objectives".[3]

In 1920, King George V gave his permission for RSTMH to use the Royal prefix. Queen Elizabeth II was patron of the society and the Princess Royal is an Honorary Fellow.

  1. ^ "RSTMH-About us". RSTMH. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  2. ^ Sir Philip Henry Manson-Bahr (1962). Patrick Manson, the father of tropical medicine. T. Nelson. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  3. ^ "RSTMH home page". Retrieved 30 April 2013.