The Montreal Medico-Chirurgical Society was founded by a group of general practitioners in 1843 in Montreal. Its first president was McGill Faculty of Medicine founder Dr. Andrew Holmes. They society's founders came together with the intent to establish professional codes of conduct, medical fee rates, and a death registry. Case reports were presented during the society's meetings and published as the Montreal Medical Journal. Educational events arranged with teaching hospitals ran from 1905 to 1960. After World War II, specialty sections were formed by members of the society. By the beginning of the 20th century, the society's activities were expanded to include annual refresher courses in medicine. Over time the focus of the society shifted to scientific, social, and cultural activities and widened the audience to include medical students and the general public for select events. Deans of McGill's Faculty of Medicine who have served as the society's president include Dr. Palmer Howard, Sir Thomas Roddick, F. J. Shepherd, A. D. Blackader, J. G. Adami, and H. S. Birkett.