Society for General Microbiology

Archives of the Society, including minutes, proceedings of meetings and symposia, relations with other bodies including government and international organisations, material relating to publication of Society's journal, other publications and reports, financial records, historical materials

The Society originated with the desire of some members of the (then) Society of Agricultural Bacteriologists (founded in 1931, later the Society for Applied Microbiology) for a broadening of its interests to embrace virology, medical and agricultural bacteriology, protozoology and mycology. It was officially founded in February 1945 with Sir Alexander Fleming as its first president and 241 members. The second president was Marjory Stephenson. Meetings were held twice yearly from 1946, rising to thrice yearly in 1963, but then reducing to two once more in 2001.

Its first journal, Journal of General Microbiology, later renamed Microbiology, first appeared in January 1947. In 1966 a journal specifically on virology, Journal of General Virology was founded. The Society also took over publication of the International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology, renamed the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology in 1998, and the Pathological Society's Journal of Medical Microbiology in 2002.

The Society was registered as a charity in 1969, and in 1972 the Society for General Microbiology Limited was formed as a separate company (also a registered charity) to hold the assets and liabilities. In 1971 it moved to its own headquarters building, Harvest House in Reading. ,

During the 1970s the Society became increasingly active in making representations to Government and other bodies on financial, organizational and professional matters concerning the progress of microbiological science, and in providing sources of information about microbiological matters of public interest.

The Society administers a number of grant schemes and supports several named lectures.

Further details of its history and current activities can be found on the Society's website