Our history

Key moments from AMI's past

We are the oldest microbiology society in the UK and with more than half of our membership outside the UK, we are truly global, serving microbiologists based in universities, private industry and research institutes around the world.

As a professional membership organisation we support those studying and working in the field of applied microbiology, from undergraduate and PHD students, to those entering the field of work and seasoned professionals in academia or industry, flourishing at the height of their careers. We’re also privileged to have members recognised internationally for their work in applied microbiology, acting as our global ambassadors.


Past presidents

  • 1931 R. Stenhouse Williams
  • 1932–36 A.T.R. Mattick
  • 1936–39 A. Cunningham
  • 1939–43 C.H. Chalmers
  • 1943–46 L.A. Allen
  • 1946–49 H.J. Bunker
  • 1949–52 L.J. Meanwell
  • 1952–54 J.G. Davis
  • 1954–56 S.B. Thomas
  • 1956–58 M. Ingram
  • 1958–60 D.A. McKenzie
  • 1960–62 G. Sykes
  • 1962–64 T. Gibson
  • 1964–67 J. Taylor
  • 1967–69 J.G. Murray
  • 1969–71 J.M. Shewan
  • 1971–73 L.A. Mabbitt
  • 1973–75 E.G. Morris
  • 1975–77 G.W. Gould
  • 1977–79 E.M. Barnes
  • 1979–81 T. Cross
  • 1981–83 J.G. Carr
  • 1983–85 P.D. Walker
  • 1985–87 A. Paton
  • 1987–89 B. Jarvis
  • 1989–91 D. Jones
  • 1991–93 F.A. Skinner
  • 1993–94 W.M. Waites
  • 1994–95 M. Sussman (Acting)
  • 1995–97 M. Sussman
  • 1997–99 R.A. Herbert
  • 1999–2002 A. Gilmour
  • 2002–05 P. Silley
  • 2005–08 M. Patterson
  • 2008-11 G. Hanlon
  • 2011-14 M. Adams
  • 2014-17 C. Dodd
  • 2017-2020 M. Fielder

Book - A Short History

This book was compiled from SfAM archive materials and first published in 2006. It charts the history of the Society from it's early conception in 1929. The book is written by Max Sussman with the assistance of David Post, Grahame Gould, and Fred Skinner.