London Hospital Medical Club

The Medical Club has its origins in the series of anniversary dinners of gentlemen educated at the London Hospital, which began in 1792. The dinners have been held regularly, except in wartime, ever since.

The Club was formally established in 1838 when it was agreed that membership be given to former students paying the annual subscription of 2 guineas, later reduced to 25 shillings. The Club's affairs were run by a committee, later succeeded by a smaller Executive Council. Between 1867 and 1887 Biennial Festivals of the London Hospital Medical College were held, and club dinners given on alternate years. In 1881 a benevolent fund was started for the relief of widows and orphans of alumni, to fund entrance scholarships for the Medical College. An employment agency, originally run unofficially by the Surgeon's Beadle, was adopted by the Club in about 1905. It provided locums and assistants for Old Londoners in general practice.

In the 1970s the Club took over the anniversary dinner, which had for many years been organised by the Hospital's Medical Council. The Medical Club also relaunched The London Hospital Gazette in 1975, in association with the Dental Club. The Club was active in several appeals, including the Medical College Bicentenary Appeal. In 2000 the London Hospital Medical Club merged with the London Hospital Dental Club and Barts Alumni Association, to form the Barts and The London Alumni Association.