Historical Collection

As the sole heir and successor to the Chemical Society, the Society for Analytical Chemistry, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, and the Faraday Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has the longest tradition of any chemical society in the world. In consequence, the RSC's Library and Information Centre (LIC) in Burlington House includes books dating from 1505, manuscripts of famous chemists, prints from 1538 onwards and archives from all the constituent societies.

All of the Historical Chemistry Collection is available for reference purposes, and most of the resources in the History of Chemistry section is available for loan if you a member of the RSC.

Search our catalogue of books, images and archives from the link at the bottom of this page. Although we are primarily a members resource we also welcome researchers interested in historical chemistry. Please contact staff in the Library to make enquiries regarding use of the historical collection. Please note that if you wish to view any of the historical collection at the RSC, you must give us at least 2 working days' notice of you request.

The oldest book in the RSC's historical collection is a copy of 'De  secretis mulierum et virorum' by Albertus Magnus (1200-1280), dated 1505, while the most valuable is Michael Faraday's copy of a book by Glauber, dated 1689. We have 41 books by Robert Boyle, 14 by Faraday and seven by Dalton. The oldest image is "Faust in his laboratory", 1538.

Special Collections

Sir Henry Roscoe

The Library and Information Centre has several precious sets of archival manuscripts in its care. They include manuscripts of lectures given by Sir Henry Roscoe, past President of the Chemical Society 1880-1882, notes by him on solar chemistry work 1860-1880, letters written to him, and his notebook for 1849.

The Roscoe books collection has about 100 items and is particularly interesting because it was donated in 1906 by Sir Henry Roscoe, president of the Chemical Society from 1880 to 1882. Roscoe was a student of the famous German chemist Robert Wilhelm Bunsen and worked with him on his photochemical investigations around 1850.

Colonel Sir Frederick Nathan

The Nathan collection, bequeathed by Colonel Sir Frederick Nathan, KBE, in 1934, comprises 975 items including books, pamphlets and folio-size posters on explosives and firearms - dating from 1598 to 1920. 

Professor Francis Camps/Professor Ann Robinson

Francis Camps was a famous forensic scientist and toxicologist and was involved in many important murder trials in the 20th century such as the Christie case. His collection of very fine forensic chemistry and medicinal toxicology books was donated to us by his wife Professor Ann Robinson an eminent scientist in her own right.

Robert Crosbie Farmer

Robert Farmer worked at the Royal Arsenal Woolwich during the period 1920 -1945 and specialised on TNT. He was a leading member of the TNT Court of Enquiry and was part of the Naval Cordite Committee.

Archives and Artefacts

We have defined archival material as being documentary items concerned with the history of the societies that merged to become the RSC. Consequently, the archives include:

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  Faraday Society: Presidential Medal

  Council and committee minutes from each of the constituent societies. Many are handwritten and very delicate and therefore require careful handling and protection;
• Documents on the discussions leading to the formation of the Chemical Society, memoranda and articles of association, and the financial records of most of the constituent societies;
• Original Victorian charters and subsequent Royal charters from each of the founding bodies;
• The architect's plans of Burlington House from the mid-19th century, outlining the original decor; and
• Congratulatory scrolls, presentation volumes and artefacts from sister societies worldwide for various anniversaries, often very large and decorative
• Ceremonial medals of the Chemical Society and the RSC and copies of medals awarded