ABOUT THE LMI

Liverpool Medical Institution is one of the oldest medical societies in the world, tracing its earliest origins back to a 'Surgeons' Book Club' formed by a group of local surgeons who worked in the Liverpool Infirmary between 1768 and 1770. The 'Book Club' soon attracted other medical professionals, with membership growing out of the Infirmary and the newly built Liverpool Dispensary. The popularity of the library scheme facilitated the creation of a more formal organisation, which led to the founding of the Liverpool Medical Library in 1779.
 
For many years the Liverpool Medical Library was situated variously at the Liverpool Infirmary on Shaw's Brow, and the Liverpool Dispensary in Church Street. It soon became apparent that the medical profession of Liverpool required a building entirely for its own use. Thus in the 1830s Dr John Rutter, whose portrait still hangs prominently in the Lecture Theatre, masterminded a campaign to raise sufficient funds to erect the present building.
 
The building was opened in May 1837. Designed by Clark Rampling, has many unique architectural features made possible by its position on the corner of Hope Street and Mount Pleasant, including the amazing acoustics of the Victorian Lecture Theatre and the curved Gallery with its glass roof domes. The beautiful neoclassical building is Grade II* Listed with features of special interest both outside and inside.

In 1839, the Liverpool Medical Library and Liverpool Medical Society merged, creating a single organisation known as the Liverpool Medical Institution (LMI).
 
For nearly two centuries since its launch, the LMI has been the centre of the medical community and a meeting place where doctors could discuss medical topics and disseminate medical knowledge of the highest quality. The building was extended in 1966 and underwent a major refurbishment in 1998 with the aid of Heritage Lottery funding. 

The Institution continues to serve the purposes for which it was founded, to foster an environment for furthering medical education and knowledge in the medical community and in the general public.  Today it is a Registered Charity and is used as a venue for scientific and social meetings, and has expanded to become a Meetings Industry Assoication accredited conference venue. The LMI is unique for being an 'historic medical library and houses and important collection of historical medical books, journals, equipment and other rare items.