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The "X-Ray Analysis Group" of the Institute of Physics was formed in 1943. and started sending a Newsletter to members in May 1957. At that time the officials were:

Chairman: Professor D.G. Cox
Vice Chairman: Sir Lawrence Bragg
Honorary Secretary: Dr R.L. Gordon
Ordinary members: Dr Helen D. Megaw, Dr P.T. Davies

In 1969 the name was changed to the "Crystallography Group" and in 1981 they joined with the Crystallography Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry to form a new Association.

The British Crystallographic Association (BCA) was founded in 1982 to advance the education of the public in the science of crystallography, particularly within the British Isles. It is now a Registered Charity No. 284718. Initially there were Founder members. (This class of membership is no longer available.) In 1998 a new class of Honorary members was established, and this was followed by the introduction of Corporate members. Council has currently received a proposal to introduce a new class of member, perhaps to be called "Fellows". If you are interested in crystallography, why not become a Member of the BCA?

The BCA is run by an elected Council according to the "Statutes and ByLaws" of the Association. The British Crystallographic Association is divided into four major groups:

• Biological Structures Group
• Chemical Crystallography Group
• Physical Crystallography Group
• Industrial Group

In addition, there are special interest groups (SIGs), e.g. synchrotron radiation and education, which cater for specialist interests that go across two or more of the BCA groups.

The BCA achieves its objectives by:

• Carrying out research and publishing results;
• Organising conferences and meetings;
• Publishing a Newsletter ISSN 1467-2790;
• Providing bursaries for scientific meetings relevant to crystallography;
• any other appropriate means. This has included the running of educational teaching schools, surveys of educational software, crystal growing competitions for school children, and compilation of lists of educational materials.

Dates and locations of past meetings of the BCA, ECA (ECM), and IUCr Congresses are listed here.