British Bryological Society

The British Bryological Society is an academic society dedicated to bryology, which encourages the study of bryophytes (mosses, liverworts and hornworts). It publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Bryology. History The Society developed from the Moss Exchange Club founded in 1896 by Coslett Herbert Waddell who was Secretary of the club until 1903. It was therefore the first bryological society in the world. Its aim was to provide communication between those interested in bryophytes so they could build up collections of correctly identified specimens. The Club produced printed reports and compiled records of bryophyte distributions by vice-county, and members exchanged information by letter, but the Club did not hold meetings. Over the years, several updated lists of the moss flora were produced. Members focused on the British Isles, although several were interested in bryophytes of other countries. A proposal for a formal 'Foreign Section' in 1901 was unsuccessful. In 1903 William Ingham became Secretary. Many of the first members had expert knowledge and interest in bryology but relied on employment from other areas to make a living. They included H. N. Dixon, S. M. Macvicar, W. E. Nicholson and Eleonora Armitage as well as Waddell. Few were professional academics. However, members included beginners wanting to learn about bryology, and a section to help them was formed in 1900. The total membership was 37 in 1899 and had reached 100 in 1934. Post-war, there were many academic members and also more from outside the UK, in part due to the development of bryology as a subject for study at university. Membership had increased to 250 in 1950 and was above 500 in the twentyfirst century. In 1923 the new name British Bryological Society was adopted along with introduction of an annual meeting and field meetings. H.N. Dixon as President and D. A. Jones and Eleonora Armitage as Secretaries. In 1934 members joined from outside the British Isles including Pierre Allorge, Edwin B. Bartram, Alexander W. Evans, Leopold Loeske and N. Malta. In September 1945 the Society celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Moss Club with a field visit and dinner.