Royal Society

The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, claims to be the oldest learned society still in existence. It was founded in 1660. The Royal Irish Academy, founded in 1782, is closely affiliated. The Royal Society of Edinburgh (founded 1783) is a separate Scottish body.

Famous members

Several famous scientists were either the founding members or involved during its history. The early group included Robert Boyle, John Evelyn, Robert Hooke, William Petty, John Wallis, John Wilkins, Thomas Willis and Sir Christopher Wren. Isaac Newton demonstrated his theory of optics to them, and later became president of the society.

Related Topics:
Robert Boyle - John Evelyn - Robert Hooke - William Petty - John Wallis - John Wilkins - Thomas Willis - Christopher Wren - Isaac Newton

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The motto "Nullius in Verba" means literally "On the words of no one" signifying the Society's commitment to establishing the truth of scientific matters through experiment rather than through citation of authority. Although this seems obvious today, the philosophical basis of the Royal Society differed from previous philosophies such as Scholasticism, which established scientific truth based on deductive logic, concordance with divine providence and the citation of such ancient authorities as Aristotle.

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A selected list of presidents

• Sir Christopher Wren (1680-1682)
• Samuel Pepys (1684-1686)
• Charles Montagu (1695-1698)
• Lord Somers (1698-1703)
• Sir Isaac Newton (1703-1727)
• Joseph Banks (1778-1820)
• Sir Humphry Davy (1820-1827)
• The Duke of Sussex (1830-1838)
• Lord Rosse (1848-1854)
• Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (1873-1878)
• Thomas Henry Huxley (1883-1885)
• George Gabriel Stokes (1885-1890)
• Lord Kelvin (1890-1895)
• Joseph Lister (1895-1900)
• Sir William Huggins (1900-1905)
• Lord Rayleigh (1905-1908)
• Sir Joseph John Thomson (1915-1920)
• Lord Rutherford of Nelson (1925-1930)
• Sir William Henry Bragg (1935-1940)
• Lord May of Oxford (2000-2005)
• New President (2005+, currently waiting until voting in July)

See also: The complete list of Presidents of the Royal Society

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