Heberden Library

BSR owns a large collection of medico-historical books on rheumatology and related conditions. There are more than 1,500 items in the Heberden Library, including books, pamphlets, journals and photographs.

WSC Copeman, the first honorary librarian of the Heberden Society, and EGL Bywaters, the second honorary librarian, were both instrumental in collecting the items that make up the library we have today.

Since 1966, recent books, reports, proceedings, and documents have been added to the collection with the aim of providing a history of rheumatology for future generations.

To help ensure we have a wide range and up to date historical record of rheumatology, we invite you to donate any relevant books to the Heberden Library. Please contact us with the title and author of the book that you'd like to donate.

Physical copies are stored at the RCP London office, the Wellcome Collection or in the British Society for Rheumatology offices.

Oral histories

We are looking to collect audio recordings on experiences of treatments, from all perspectives, before the advent of biologics.

Contribute a recording

Online catalogue

Search the catalogue for access to library materials, and then request them from bsr@rheumatology.org.uk.

Search the catalogue

Heberden Artifacts

Veedee

Veedee vibratory massager was claimed to cure varying ailments including colds and digestive complaints through ‘curative vibration’. The device was made in Germany and produced in the early 20^th century.

Dissection kit

Dissection kit from Dr Barbara Ansell. Barbara Mary Ansell was a British medical doctor and the founder of the field of paediatric rheumatology. Ansell was notable for outstanding contributions to the advancement of paediatric knowledge, specifically defining chronic joint disorders and the improvement of their management.

Heberden Society President’s medal

Heberden Society President’s medal. This medal was worn by presidents of the Heberden Society, formed in 1936 and named after the founding father of rheumatology, William Heberden. The Heberden Society merged with the British Association for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation to form BSR in 1983.

Caricature of William Heberden

We have both the original caricatures and this book with information on them. Info on the book:

‘The Heberden Society: History, Portraits and Biographies’ – John H.M. Moll, 1987

Published four years after BSR was founded, this book covers the history of the Heberden Society. The author, J.H.M. Moll, was a keen caricaturist, and the book includes portraits of society members such as Barbara Ansell and Eric Bywaters.

Our Legacy


1936 - The Heberden society founded
Pioneering the early study of rheumatic disease and establishing a legacy that continues through BSR and the Heberden Library today.


1942 - The British Society of Physical Medicine founded
Supporting the rehabilitation and recovery of war veterans and helping shape the developing specialty of rheumatology.


1970 - From Physical Medicine to Rheumatology
The British Society of Physical Medicine becomes the British Association for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation (BARR), reflecting the growth and changing identity of the specialty.


1983 - A defining moment
The Heberden Society and BARR unite to form the British Society for Rheumatology, bringing their histories together and beginning a new chapter for UK rheumatology.


1984-1996 A growing scientific community
BSR holds its first scientific meeting in Bristol in 1984. Programmes, abstracts and other material from these early meetings are preserved in the Heberden Library. By 1995, Glasgow welcomed 657 delegates, rising to around 700 in Brighton in 1996.


2026 - Preseving the past, leading the future
From historic programmes and abstracts to newsletters, photographs and records of BSR's scientific meetings, the Heberden Library preserves the story of UK rheumatology and the people, research and ideas that have shaped the specialty.

Honorary Heberden Librarian

Born in Hull, East Yorkshire, Dr. Paul Sanders studied medicine at the University of Leeds before completing junior medical posts across the north of England. During his first rheumatology post in Newcastle upon Tyne, he gained MRCP(UK), before undertaking research into the immunogenetics of rheumatoid arthritis and being awarded an MD from the University of Leeds with commendation.

Paul completed specialist rheumatology training in Salford and Manchester and went on to spend around 30 years as a Consultant Rheumatologist. His consultant career included posts at Withington Hospital, Manchester, the historic Devonshire Royal Hospital in Buxton, Wythenshawe Hospital and Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport.

His clinical and research interests have included rheumatoid arthritis and its treatment, as well as paediatric rheumatology. Alongside clinical practice, he has served as Training Programme Director for Rheumatology in the Northwest Deanery and Clinical Director for Medical Specialties at Wythenshawe Hospital. He is also a member of an NHS Research Ethics Committee.

As Honorary Heberden Librarian, Paul brings extensive experience of UK rheumatology and a strong interest in preserving and sharing the specialty's history.

Outside rheumatology, he enjoys travelling with his wife, Sue, following Hull City AFC, skiing and walking in France, playing social tennis and, most recently, exploring the waterways by narrowboat.

Heberden Library

Heberden Library

BSR owns a large collection of medico-historical books on rheumatology and related conditions. There are more than 1,500 items in the Heberden Library, including books, pamphlets, journals and photographs.

WSC Copeman, the first honorary librarian of the Heberden Society, and EGL Bywaters, the second honorary librarian, were both instrumental in collecting the items that make up the library we have today.

Since 1966, recent books, reports, proceedings, and documents have been added to the collection with the aim of providing a history of rheumatology for future generations.

To help ensure we have a wide range and up to date historical record of rheumatology, we invite you to donate any relevant books to the Heberden Library. Please contact us with the title and author of the book that you'd like to donate.

Physical copies are stored at the RCP London office, the Wellcome Collection or in the British Society for Rheumatology offices.

Oral histories

We are looking to collect audio recordings on experiences of treatments, from all perspectives, before the advent of biologics.

Online catalogue

Search the catalogue for access to library materials, and then request them from bsr@rheumatology.org.uk.

Heberden Artifacts

Explore the Heberden Library in person

Book a research appointment to explore the Heberden Library collection in person

Our Legacy

1936 - The Heberden society founded

Pioneering the early study of rheumatic disease and establishing a legacy that continues through BSR and the Heberden Library today.

1942 - The British Society of Physical Medicine founded

Supporting the rehabilitation and recovery of war veterans and helping shape the developing specialty of rheumatology.

1970 - From Physical Medicine to Rheumatology

The British Society of Physical Medicine becomes the British Association for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation (BARR), reflecting the growth and changing identity of the specialty.

1983 - A defining moment

The Heberden Society and BARR unite to form the British Society for Rheumatology, bringing their histories together and beginning a new chapter for UK rheumatology.

1984-1996 A growing scientific community

BSR holds its first scientific meeting in Bristol in 1984. Programmes, abstracts and other material from these early meetings are preserved in the Heberden Library. By 1995, Glasgow welcomed 657 delegates, rising to around 700 in Brighton in 1996.

2026 - Preseving the past, leading the future

From historic programmes and abstracts to newsletters, photographs and records of BSR's scientific meetings, the Heberden Library preserves the story of UK rheumatology and the people, research and ideas that have shaped the specialty.