Collection GS - The Genetics Society [formerly The Genetical Society]

Extent: 66 boxes

In 1976 it was agreed that the archives of the Genetical Society should be housed at the John Innes Centre (then the John Innes Institute) and curated by Dr. Brian Harrison as Honorary Archivist. Requests for material were issued in 1976/77 and again in 1980. Dr Harrison also managed enquiries relating to the history of the Genetical Society. From 1981 Brian Harrison was assisted by Mrs Rosemary Harvey, after she was appointed John Innes Archivist in that year. Peter Young later succeeded Brian Harrison as Genetical Society Archivist in 1988. Mrs Harvey was appointed to sort the collection and respond to requests between 1988-89. In 1997 Elizabeth Stratton was confirmed as Archivist for the Genetical Society following her appointment as Archivist at the John Innes Centre. Further material was then received from David Hopwood and also members of the Committee and it is expected that this will continue. The collection was re-sorted by Elizabeth Stratton, with the inclusion of material received in recent years, in the early 2000s. A small amount of weeding was then undertaken, mostly involving duplicates, bills and receipts. Old classification markings may still be seen on certain items.

Include members files, 1924-99, meeting, committee and AGM minutes, 1919-2017, accounts, 1935-2000, Senior Secretary papers, 1996-99, Junior Secretary papers, 1970-79, papers re International Congress on Genetics, 1989-93, general correspondence, research and ephemera, 1933-93 and publications, 1969-1992

Admin History: The Genetical Society was founded in 1919 as the world's first society devoted to the study of mechanisms of inheritance. Famous founder members included William Bateson, first Director of the John Innes Centre (then the John Innes Horticultural Institution), JBS Haldane and AW Sutton. The close cooperation between the history of the John Innes Centre and the Genetical Society has continued with several John Innes scientists holding important positions on the Committee and also delivering the special Mendel and Balfour Lectures. These have included Miss ER Saunders, Reginald Punnett, CD Darlington, Kenneth Mather, Ralph Riley, John Fincham, David Hopwood and Enrico Coen. Papers relating to some of these individuals feature in the Collection, including those of David Hopwood as Junior Secretary, President and also Programme Secretary for the International Congress on Genetics 1993; Mike Merrick, Treasurer and Peter Young, Secretary. The name of the society was changed from the Genetical Society to the Genetics Society in 2000. The aim was to describe the role of the society which is now to support genetics.; Mgt Group: Private Records