Library

Members of the Royal Society of Chemistry

• Members may borrow up to 10 items for one month
• Loans can be renewed up to five times (if not placed on reserve by another member)
• Loans can be sent and returned by post: we will pay the postage to the member; the member must pay the return postage (if not returning in person); the member is liable for the cost of replacing any lost or damaged loans whilst in their possession
• This service is available to members within the UK. Members outside the UK should contact the Library to discuss alternative arrangements
• Overdues: Notices will be sent within two weeks past an items' due date.  If a loan becomes one month overdue, the member will be notified that an invoice will be raised for its replacement and that their right to use the Library will be withdrawn until the loans are returned or paid for

Members of the M25 Access Scheme

• Patrons may borrow up to three items for two weeks
• Loans can be renewed up to two times (if not placed on reserve by another patron)
• Loans may only be collected in person but can be returned by post (at the patrons' expense); the patron is liable for the cost of replacing any lost or damaged loans whilst in their possession
• This service is only available within the UK
• Overdues: Notices will be sent within two weeks past an items' due date. If a loan becomes one month overdue, the patron will be notified that an invoice will be raised for its replacement and that their right to use the Library will be withdrawn until the loans are returned or paid for

The Davy Bookcase

Donated to the Chemical Society in 1919, this collection of books formerly belonged to Sir Humphry Davy, John Davy and Lady Davy. As well as some items by Humphry Davy, the collection includes items by William Ramsay, Antoine Lavoisier, John Dalton, Justus von Liebig, Lyon Playfair and William Nicholson.

The Sir Frederick Abel Papers

This collection of papers from former Chemical Society president, Sir Frederick Abel, was donated to the Royal Society of Chemistry by his family in 2010.  The collection includes two of his diaries as well as many of his professional and personal letters.

The Roscoe Collection

Sir Henry Roscoe donated his collection of books and manuscripts to the Chemical Society in 1906. The manuscripts are many of Sir Henry’s lectures, various notes on different aspects of chemistry as well as a number of volumes of letters written to him from his contemporaries.  The 100 books are some of our oldest and most notable and including many Latin titles from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Nathan Collection

Bequeathed from the estate of Colonel Sir Frederick Nathan in 1934, this collection of books, pamphlets and posters on explosives and firearms covers the period 1598 to 1920.

Society publications & minutes

This collection includes Chemical Society and Royal Institute of Chemistry minutes of meetings from 1841 as well as the Annual Reports, the full collection of Chemistry in Britain and early editions of Education in Chemistry. Also included are the complete collections of Monographs for Teachers and Lectures, Monographs & Reports produced by the former societies.

Historical Collection booklet

We have produced a booklet as a guide to the Historical Collection providing more information on the different collections and highlighting some particularly notable items.  Download the Historical Collection booklet.

Remembering the First World War

To commemorate the contributions made by past members of the Chemical Society and the Institute of Chemistry, we have produced a booklet 'Pro Patria'.  Download the 'Pro Patria' booklet.