The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow
Encyclopedia
The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow is a learned society
established in 1802 "for the improvement of the Arts and Sciences" in the city of Glasgow
, Scotland
. It runs a programme of lectures, now in its 210th Series. The Society formerly owned a building on Bath Street, but since 1994 has been accommodated within the University of Strathclyde
.
). The Society subsequently moved to the Corporation Galleries
on Sauchiehall Street
in 1868, and in 1880, in conjunction with the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland
, built new premises on Bath Street.
The Society was made a Royal Society in 1901, shortly before its centenary, by Edward VII
while Archibald Campbell, 1st Baron Blythswood
was President. In 1961, the Society's building was sold and the library, which by that time contained over five thousand volumes, dispersed. The Society began renting lecture halls at the University of Strathclyde again, and in 1994 council meetings began taking place there as well. The archives of the Society are now maintained by the Archives of the University of Glasgow
.
and chemist Thomas Graham
respectively, and for which medals are awarded.
Learned society
A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...
established in 1802 "for the improvement of the Arts and Sciences" in the city of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It runs a programme of lectures, now in its 210th Series. The Society formerly owned a building on Bath Street, but since 1994 has been accommodated within the University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
.
History
The Society was founded in 1802 as the Glasgow Philosophical Society by a meeting of sixty people in the former Assembly Rooms, and work began establishing a library collection. The Society was housed in various short-term accommodation until 1831, when a room was made available in the Andersonian University (now the University of StrathclydeUniversity of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
). The Society subsequently moved to the Corporation Galleries
McLellan Galleries
The McLellan Galleries are an exhibition space in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. Built in 1856, the Galleries are named after their founder, Archibald McLellan , a coach builder, councillor and patron of the arts...
on Sauchiehall Street
Sauchiehall Street
Sauchiehall Street is one of the main shopping/business streets in the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Along with Buchanan Street and Argyle Street, it forms the main shopping area of Glasgow, containing the majority of Glasgow's high street and chain stores.Although commonly associated with the...
in 1868, and in 1880, in conjunction with the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland
Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland
The Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland is a professional body for engineers and shipbuilders in Scotland.-Founding:The inaugural meeting of the Institution of Engineers in Scotland was held on 1 May 1857...
, built new premises on Bath Street.
The Society was made a Royal Society in 1901, shortly before its centenary, by Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
while Archibald Campbell, 1st Baron Blythswood
Archibald Campbell, 1st Baron Blythswood
Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Campbell, 1st Baron Blythswood FRS was a Scottish Conservative politician....
was President. In 1961, the Society's building was sold and the library, which by that time contained over five thousand volumes, dispersed. The Society began renting lecture halls at the University of Strathclyde again, and in 1994 council meetings began taking place there as well. The archives of the Society are now maintained by the Archives of the University of Glasgow
Archives of the University of Glasgow
The Archives of the University of Glasgow maintain the historical records of the University of Glasgow back to its foundation in 1451. Its earliest record is a charter dating from 1304 for the lands of the earliest mention of record-keeping in the University is in 1490 when it is recorded in...
.
Activities
The Society runs a programme of lectures through the year, including the Kelvin and Graham Lectures, commemorating physicist Lord KelvinWilliam Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin
William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin OM, GCVO, PC, PRS, PRSE, was a mathematical physicist and engineer. At the University of Glasgow he did important work in the mathematical analysis of electricity and formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and did much to unify the emerging...
and chemist Thomas Graham
Thomas Graham (chemist)
Thomas Graham FRS was a nineteenth-century Scottish chemist who is best-remembered today for his pioneering work in dialysis and the diffusion of gases.- Life and work :...
respectively, and for which medals are awarded.
Notable former presidents
- Professor Thomas AndersonThomas Anderson (chemist)thumb|280pxThomas Anderson was a noted 19th century chemist. In 1853 his work on alkaloids led him to discover the correct structure for codeine...
, chemist - Archibald Campbell, 1st Baron BlythswoodArchibald Campbell, 1st Baron BlythswoodLieutenant-Colonel Archibald Campbell, 1st Baron Blythswood FRS was a Scottish Conservative politician....
, politician - James Bryce, 1st Viscount BryceJames Bryce, 1st Viscount BryceJames Bryce, 1st Viscount Bryce OM, GCVO, PC, FRS, FBA was a British academic, jurist, historian and Liberal politician.-Background and education:...
, politician - William GilliesWilliam GilliesWilliam Gillies was a Scottish patriot and a socialist. He helped to form the Scots National League which joined with in other bodies to form the National Party of Scotland which in turn evolved into the Scottish National Party ....
, nationalist - Professor Thomas GrahamThomas Graham (chemist)Thomas Graham FRS was a nineteenth-century Scottish chemist who is best-remembered today for his pioneering work in dialysis and the diffusion of gases.- Life and work :...
, chemist (Vice-President) - John Graham KerrJohn Graham KerrSir John Graham Kerr was a Scottish embryologist and Unionist Member of Parliament . He is best known for his studies of the embryology of lungfishes.Born in Hertfordshire to Scottish parents, Kerr was educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh, and at the University of Edinburgh, but...
, embryologist - Lord KelvinWilliam Thomson, 1st Baron KelvinWilliam Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin OM, GCVO, PC, PRS, PRSE, was a mathematical physicist and engineer. At the University of Glasgow he did important work in the mathematical analysis of electricity and formulation of the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and did much to unify the emerging...
, physicist - Professor Thomas Thomson, chemist
See also
- List of Royal Societies
- University of GlasgowUniversity of GlasgowThe University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
- University of StrathclydeUniversity of StrathclydeThe University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
- Royal Society of EdinburghRoyal Society of EdinburghThe Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...