Royal Society

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a society for prosecuting research in general and physico-mathematical science in particular, founded in 1660. Its first journal opened Nov. 28, 1660, and the members, in 1662, obtained a charter, and were incorporated as the Royal Society. The first number of the "Philosophical Transactions," recording the work of the society, appeared on March 6, 1665. After 1750 the annual volume took the place of occasional numbers. In 1709 a bequest from Sir Godfrey Copley led to the establishment of the Copley gold medal, and a donation from Count Rumford in 1796 resulted in the foundation of the Rumford gold and silver medals. Two more medals were established by George IV. in 1825. The Linnæan Society branched off from it in 1788, the Geological Society in 1807, and the Royal Astronomical Society in 1820. For a considerable time the number of the members stood at 600; latterly, however, only 15 members have been annually elected, so that the number of fellows will in a few years be reduced below 500. Many of the most important scientific achievements and discoveries have been due to its enlightened methods. It deservedly enjoys an influential and semiofficial position as the scientific adviser of the British Government, and not only administers the $20,000 annually voted by Parliament for scientific purposes, but has given suggestions and advice which have borne valuable fruit, from the voyage of Captain Cook in the "Endeavor" in 1768 down to the present time. The roll of the Royal Society contains practically all the great scientific names of its country since its foundation. Among its presidents have been Lord-Chancellor Somers, Samuel Pepys, , Sir Sir Isaac Newton, Sir J. Banks Hans Sloane, and Sir Humphry Davy.