We are the world’s leading chemistry community and our mission is to advance excellence in the chemical sciences.
This has been the case since 1841 when 77 scientists – including doctors, academics, manufacturers and entrepreneurs – formed the Chemical Society of London, with dialysis inventor Thomas Graham as their first president.
Seven years later Queen Victoria granted a Royal Charter to the Society, confirming its purpose of
the general advancement of Chemical Science.
After 175 years our mission is just as relevant and valid, but we pursue it on a scale those initial 77 members would find inconceivable. We now have over 50,000 members across the world, an internationally-renowned and award-winning not-for-profit knowledge business, and a reputation as an influential champion for the chemical sciences.
Our global community now spans hundreds of thousands of scientists, librarians, teachers, students, pupils and people who love chemistry.