On Friday 29 November 1872, Heaton records the foundation of the Leeds and West Riding Medico-Chirurgical Society at the Great Northern Hotel, replacing a smaller Leeds Medical Society (Journal, iv. pp. 86-8).  The stated aim of the society is ‘To promote the study of medicine and surgery among practitioners by the communication of clinical and therapeutic facts and by the exhibition of pathological specimens and by discussion.’  The board of the society soon commenced meeting in the upper board room at the Infirmary (Littleton Hall), where according to its website meetings continue to this day.

Heaton was one of the first Vice Presidents of the Society, and also (true to form) its treasurer.  In May 1874, he was elected President, giving his inaugural address on 2 October (Journal, iv. pp. 226, 308).