A History of the Analytical Division

Analytical chemists in the British Isles have carefully recorded the history of their organisation from its origins as the Society of Public Analysts in 1874 up to its centenary as the Society for Analytical Chemistry (SAC). The SAC underwent its greatest change when it amalgamated with other London-based chemistry societies, to form the Analytical Division of the new Chemical Society, now the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). This historical review describes the events leading up to amalgamation and covers the subsequent activities of the Analytical Division up to the present day. Today, the Division is very active, with crucial involvement in promoting the knowledge and study of analytical chemistry. Its activities, complemented by those of its specialist subject and regional groups, are enhanced by financial support from the RSC's Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund, which also provides support for education and research. Ron Thomas, a former President of the Analytical Division, is Emeritus Professor of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry at the University of Wales, Cardiff. He is also Honorary Professor of the Faculty of Industrial Chemistry, Polytechnic University Bucharest, Romania and Honorary Editor of the Analytical Division's NEWS.