The Royal Society

Description

The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge has been at the forefront of scientific endeavour for more than 350 years, since receiving its royal charter from Charles II in 1662. Philosophical Transactions, published in 1665, established the concepts of scientific priority and peer review and is the oldest scientific journal in continuous publication in the world. The 8,000 fellows elected to the Society to date include all of the scientific leading lights of the last four centuries, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Tim Berners-Lee and Stephen Hawking. The Society's motto, nullius in verba, 'on the word of no one', is a reminder of its founders' belief that authority must always be questioned; hypotheses can never be taken for granted; truths must be demonstrated or they are not truths at all. Adrian Tinniswood examines why the Royal Society has been such a pivotal institution in the cultural life of Britain and the world.

Adrian Tinniswood is a distinguished social, architectural and cultural historian. He is the author of The Long Weekend: Life in the English Country House 1918-1939. He was awarded an OBE for services to heritage in 2013.

Compact informative * Sunday Times * [An] admirable short history * Sunday Telegraph * Tinniswood [writes] with charming enthusiasm in this attractively printed volume * Daily Telegraph * A beautifully produced book, with lavish illustrations that really enhance Tinniswood's characteristically engaging text. It's definitely not to be missed * All About History * Captures superbly the intellectual and political ferment leading up to the society's foundation and the achievements of its early years * Financial Times * A delightful history of the scientific society * Daily Telegraph *