Empire Rheumatism Council

Date:
1935-1972
Reference:
SA/HEB/D/1
Part of:
Heberden Collection
  • Archives and manuscripts

About this work

Description

Files of its first campaign with information about the Council's formation in 1936, and administrative records 1939-1941.

Publication/Creation

1935-1972

Physical description

3 files

Biographical note

The Empire Rheumatism Council was constituted in October 1936 with the aim of organising research throughout the British Empire into the causes and treatments of arthritis and rheumatic disease. Amongst other founding personnel Sir William Willcox held the posts of Vice Chairman of the Council, member of the Scientific Advisory Committee, Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee and Trustee, while William Copeman was a member of the Executive Committee as Honorary Secretary. The organisation flourished, was later renamed the Arthritis Research Council and from 2010 has been called Arthritis Research UK.

The aims of the Council were to encourage and finance research into rheumatic discorders, to educate the medical profession and general public about such disorders, and to make the public more aware of the effect of rheumatic diseases on the community's health and earning capacity. The Council funded indiviudal research projects, funded professoral chairs in rheumatology and produced many patient handbooks, magazines and information on rheumatic disease.

Appraisal note

See letter SA/HEB/D/1/3, which outlines the fate of many of the files of the Empire Rheumatism Council.

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