The Liverpool Royal Infirmary School of Medicine Debating Society (MSDS) was founded in 1874 by Dr. Richard Caton.
The society was formed seven years ahead of the University of Liverpool.
The original society was a male-only entity, and often debated such things as whether females should be admitted into the medical school.
In 1885 it became the University College Medical School Debating Society, then 1902 a further change of name to the Liverpool University Medical School Debating Society.
The society finally decided to admit female medical students in 1905, and the first female doctor to graduate from Liverpool was Phoebe Powell in 1910.The society began publishing a magazine "the Sphincter" in 1937 a play on the University student magazine the Sphinx  In 1943 the society changed their name to the "Liverpool Medical Students Society", wanting to being recognised for more than debating.
The society claims to be the longest-running students society at the university.


The Society records the names of its Student Officers and Honorary Presidents in the Jack Leggate Theatre of the Victoria Gallery & Museum.
Previous Honorary Presidents of the Society have included Henry Cohen, 1st Baron Cohen of Birkenhead, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Professor Sir Cyril A. Clarke KBE, and Professor Thomas Cecil Gray CBE KCSG.
It's plaque reads:
"Established as Royal Liverpool Infirmary School of Medicine Debating Society in 1874 by Dr. Richard Caton, Making this the oldest society of its kind in the country.
Continued as University College Medical School Debating Society from 1885, Becoming Liverpool University Medical School Debating Society in 1902.
It was finally transformed to Liverpool Medical Students Society in 1943."
The Liverpool Royal Infirmary School of Medicine Debating Society (MSDS) was founded in 1874 by Dr. Richard Caton. The society was formed seven years ahead of the University of Liverpool. The original society was a male-only entity, and often debated such things as whether females should be admitted into the medical school. In 1885 it became the University College Medical School Debating Society, then 1902 a further change of name to the Liverpool University Medical School Debating Society. The society finally decided to admit female medical students in 1905, and the first female doctor to graduate from Liverpool was Phoebe Powell in 1910.The society began publishing a magazine "the Sphincter" in 1937 a play on the University student magazine the Sphinx  In 1943 the society changed their name to the "Liverpool Medical Students Society", wanting to being recognised for more than debating. The society claims to be the longest-running students society at the university.

The Society records the names of its Student Officers and Honorary Presidents in the Jack Leggate Theatre of the Victoria Gallery & Museum. Previous Honorary Presidents of the Society have included Henry Cohen, 1st Baron Cohen of Birkenhead, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Professor Sir Cyril A. Clarke KBE, and Professor Thomas Cecil Gray CBE KCSG. It's plaque reads:
"Established as Royal Liverpool Infirmary School of Medicine Debating Society in 1874 by Dr. Richard Caton, Making this the oldest society of its kind in the country. Continued as University College Medical School Debating Society from 1885, Becoming Liverpool University Medical School Debating Society in 1902. It was finally transformed to Liverpool Medical Students Society in 1943."
Liverpool Medical Students Society