History of the Royal Society
From its Institution to the End of the Eighteenth Century

The early history (1645–1812) of one of the world's most influential scientific bodies, published by a member in 1812.

Thomas Thomson (Author)

9781108028158, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 May 2011

658 pages
29.7 x 21 x 3.4 cm, 1.55 kg

The Royal Society has been dedicated to scientific inquiry since the seventeenth century. In 1811, Thomas Thomson (1773–1852), a pioneering chemistry teacher who was elected a fellow of the society in the same year, undertook the project of writing a history of the organisation's illustrious past. In this book, published in 1812, Thomson explains how the group began in 1645, initiated by men who met once a week to discuss natural philosophy and mathematics. They were eventually granted a royal charter by Charles II in 1662. The society grew in number and prestige, and began publishing research in its Philosophical Transactions in 1665. Thomson's work focuses particularly on the development of the group's many scientific areas of interest and summarises various papers it published. He also includes a full list of the fellowship, from the society's foundation to 1812, and a copy of the society's original charter.

Preface
Historical introduction
Book I. Natural History: 1. Of botany
2. Of zoology
3. Of mineralogy
4. Of geography and topography
Book II. Of Mathematics
Book III. Of Mechanical Philosophy: 1. Of astronomy
2. Of optics
3. Of dynamics
4. Of mechanics
5. Of hydrodynamics
6. Of acoustics
7. Of navigation
8. Of electricity
9. Of magnetism
Book IV. Of Chemistry: 1. Of chemistry
2. Of meteorology
3. Of chemical arts and manufactures
Book V. Miscellaneous Articles: 1. Of weights and measures
2. Of political arithmetic
3. Of antiquities
4. Miscellaneous articles
Appendix: 1. Charter of the Royal Society
2. Patent, granting Chelsea to the Royal Society
3. Minutes of the Royal Society respecting Newton
4. List of the Fellows of the Royal Society
5. The Patrons
and alphabetical list of the Fellows of the Royal Society
Index.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX]