History of the RSM - May 2012

 

Charles Collette

His trousers' sleeves were bright green-red,
What an afternoon!
With velvet collar of white black lead;
What an afternoon!
He also moved his legs when he walked,
What an afternoon!
And he generally spoke when he usually talked;
What an afternoon!

It is not known for certain if the actor Charles Collette performed his song "What an Afternoon" at the conversazione held at the Royal Society of Medicine on the evening of Wednesday 22 May 1912 where, according to the programme, he delivered a burlesque lecture on the unlikely subject of The Cryptoconchoid-syphonostomata, but the refrain "What an Afternoon" might well have been foremost in the minds of many who attended that evening's entertainment.

At 3.45 on the afternoon of the day before, King George V and Queen Mary arrived at the Society's new house at No.1 Wimpole Street to declare the building officially open. In the manner of a paradox similar to those described in Collette's song, the front door to No.1 Wimpole Street was around the corner in Henrietta Street (now Henrietta Place), but Collette's fellow Savage Club member and Secretary to the Royal Society of Medicine, John MacAlister, had persuaded the LCC to allow us this desirable address.

The King and Queen were greeted by a guard of honour and a band and were received upon alighting from their coach by The Society's President, Sir Henry Morris, the Honorary Secretaries, Dr. Latham and Mr. Pendlebury, and by MacAlister. On either side of the entrance hall, members of Council and of the Building Committee stood in attendance and Mrs. Latham presented the Queen with a bouquet.

Their Majesties then proceeded to The Robert Barnes Hall where an address was read out by The President, to which The King graciously replied and declared the building open. Upon leaving the hall, Their Majesties were shown to the lift in which they and The President descended to the basement to examine the book store accompanied by the Honorary Librarians, Mr. Godlee and Dr. Moore. From there, they re-entered the lift and proceeded to the first floor and the Library. Here The King and Queen were presented to The Vice-Presidents, the Honorary Treasurers, Members of Council and the Building Committee, the Consulting Architect, a representative Lady Fellow, and the Editor of the Proceedings of the RSM. The President, the Honorary Librarians, and Secretary gave Their Majesties a conducted tour of the Library, drawing especial attention to the novel electric lighting arrangement, designed by MacAlister, for the writing tables. The King and Queen were then invited to sign The Society's Roll, and were asked to accept the gift of a copy of a History of the Society published in 1905. The King also borrowed the first book to be loaned by the Society in its new Library and building.

Tea was served in the Fellows' Tea Room before Their Majesties, suitably refreshed, and accompanied by The President and Secretaries, descended by the lift to the entrance hall, were shown to their carriage, and took their leave.

After the departure of The King and Queen, tea was served to all those who had been presented, and to the Stewards.

What an afternoon!

100 Years at Number 1 is an exhibition to mark the centenary of this event and includes copies of architects' plans, tickets and invitations to the 1912 opening, newspaper cuttings, photographs, letters, the story of how the RSM acquired its prestigious address, material relating to the evening of entertainment held the day after the official opening, and the pen with which the King signed his name when borrowing the first book to be loaned by the new Library.

100 Years at Number 1 can be seen at the Library of the Royal Society of Medicine. The exhibition continues until 31 May. Admission is free and the exhibition is open to all.

To mark the exact centenary of the opening ceremony, The Society's Roll, bearing the signatures of King George V and Queen Mary, will be on show in the Society's Library from 2.00 until 5.00pm on the afternoon of Monday 21 May 2012.

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Previous features of the month:

• April 2011 - 100 years at Wimpole Street
• March 2012 - 1 Wimpole Street
• February 2012 - Woodcuts
• January 2012 - Woodcuts
• December 2011 - Charles Estienne
• November 2011 - John Hunter
• October 2011 - Ignaz Philip Semmelweis
• September 2011 - The signature of Thomas Beddoes
• August 2011 - Librarians' Room 23
• July 2011 - History of the RSM
• June 2011 - Occult Physick
• May 2011 - William Harvey Lecture