November 28, 1660 On this day, the Royal Society of London was founded. For lovers of the history of anesthesiology and resuscitation, the early stages of the creation of this scientific society are of great interest, since it was at this time, and during active participation Robert Boyle (1627-1691), members of the society conducted the first documented intravenous infusions, as well as the first experiments on blood transfusion.

Early history of the Royal Society of London
through the eyes of an anesthesiologist-resuscitator.

In the autumn of 1646 an outstanding British physicist, chemist, and theologian Robert Boyle (Robert Boyle, 1627-1691) wrote to France to his former teacher that he was busy studying experimental sciences- mechanics and agronomy, for true scientists value only such knowledge that is useful. The letter ended with an invitation to visit London and "our invisible college" ("Invisible College").

Robert Boyle (1627-1691)

What was meant by the invisible college, no one knows exactly. But it is known for sure that around this time lovers of "experimental philosophy" began to meet for free discussions at Gresham College (London) or somewhere nearby.
Gresham College - a large two-story house located on Bishop's Gate Street, according to his will former owner, Thomas Gresham, served as a public lecturer on various sciences for respectable citizens and curious foreigners.
Apparently, members of the Invisible College science circle were gathering in the back rooms after the lectures were over. This community of like-minded scientists was formed around 1645. It included such famous scientists as Bishop John Wilkins, philosopher Joseph Glanvill, mathematician John Wallis, architect Christopher Wren (C.Wren , 1632-1723) and many others.
Events English revolution violated the regularity of these meetings: most of the members of this scientific circle were supporters of the deposed king. The members of the Invisible College carried on an extensive correspondence and at one time met frequently to discuss scientific problems at Robert Boyle's apartment in Oxford. By 1654, Robert Boyle moved to Oxford, where he equipped a laboratory and, with the help of specially invited assistants, conducted experiments in physics and chemistry. One of these assistants was the inventor and "microscopist" Robert Hooke (Robert Hooke, 1635-1703).

Robert Hooke (1635-1703).

After the restoration of the monarchy, the meetings of the circle resumed again in the capital. It was then that the event occurred, which is announced by the entry on the first page of the meeting log:
“November 28, 1660, Wednesday. Memorandum.
The persons named below assembled, as was their wont, at Gresham College to hear a lecture by Mr. general conversation. And there, among other subjects discussion of subjects, a community dispensation project was proposed to encourage experimental sciences. And just like in other countries learned people unite in voluntary academies for the sake of improvement different kind knowledge, so they, gathered here, expressed their readiness to contribute in this way to the success of experimental philosophy. For what purpose is it determined that this company will meet every week on Wednesdays at three o'clock in the afternoon ... And in case of possible expenses, then that each member should contribute 10 shillings, and then pay one shilling a week " .
In the list of "persons named below" there are names that say almost nothing to the current reader. But there are others: the physicist, chemist, and theologian Robert Boyle (1627-1691); the famous architect Christopher Wren (C.Wren, 1632-1723); doctors who performed the first documented successful resuscitation, William Petty (William Petty, 1623-1687) and Thomas Willis (Thomas Willis, 1621-1675).
Only 12 people. Thus, the activities of the scientific circle "Invisible College", the London and Oxford groups of like-minded scientists became the foundation for the creation in 1660 of a larger scientific society, uniting all the most influential scientists in England. In fact, the very first Academy of Sciences in the world was created.

Robert Boyle played one of the most active and key roles in this important event for science. It was he who initiated the creation of problematic scientific teams which are now referred to as research groups". And although Robert Boyle was a resident of Oxford University for almost 12 years (1656-1668), he never had any university degree or diploma, although, of course, over the years he received more than a fundamental education. The diploma of M.D. (Oxford, 1665) was his only diploma. Moreover, this diploma had more honorary and symbolic meaning, as a recognition of Robert Boyle's services to the University of Oxford.
Quite a few important role Sir William Petty (1623-1687) played in the creation of the society, English doctor, who glorified his name as an outstanding economist and statistician, the founder of classical political economy, the founder of the labor theory of value. He entered the history of critical care medicine, thanks to his participation in the first documented resuscitation, which took place December 14, 1650 In 1647, under the influence of Samuel Hartlieb, Petty wrote a treatise on education. In his first scientific work he proposed organizing a society for the "development of the art of mechanics and manufacture." In the future, these ideas expressed by William Petty were implemented during the creation of the Royal Scientific Society of London.

Thomas Willis (1621-1675).

The charter of the society was written by Christopher Wren (1632-1723), the greatest English architect, mathematician and astronomer. Christopher Wren subsequently, from 1680 to 1682, was President of the Royal Society of London.

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As a scientist, Christopher Wren was able to leave his bright mark on the history of critical care medicine. Even before the founding of the Royal Society of London, as a member of Robert Boyle's Oxford Group, Christopher Wren performed the world's first documented intravenous infusions. Around 1656 Wren began experimenting with the intravenous administration of tincture of opium, beer, wine, ale, milk, etc. As injection needle K. Ren used a bird feather, and instead of a syringe, bubbles of fish and animals, because before the invention of a hollow injection needle and syringe, there were still two whole centuries left. The results of these studies were published in 1665 in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Thus, the famous English architect Christopher Wren can be counted among the founders of modern infusion therapy and intravenous anesthesia.

That's how it came into being "Royal Society for the Improvement of London natural sciences» ("College for the Promotion of Physico-Mathematical Experimentall Learning"). As a matter of fact, it received this loud sign a little later - after in October 1661, King Charles II, who shared a fashionable passion for science, a great lover of chemistry, wished to become a member of the circle. Three decrees followed in a row, in which the protection of the crown was promised to the society, privileges and profitable lands were granted. In 1662, by decree of the king, the society was transformed into Royal Society of London with the right of annual funding from the royal treasury.
The greatest merits and grandiose role of Robert Boyle in the creation of the Royal Society of London subsequently played a cruel joke with some historians. In many literary sources, especially in Russian, one can come across an absurd assertion that it was Robert Boyle who was the first president of the society. Indeed, in 1680 Robert Boyle was elected the next President of the Royal Society of London, but he declined the honor because the required oath would violate his religious principles. Perhaps by religious beliefs Robert Boyle lived single all his life and never married. He was even offered to take holy orders, but in this case it would be even harder for him to find a compromise between religion and science. And the first president of the society from 1662 to 1677 actually became William Viscount Brounker(William Viscount Browner).

William Viscount Brounker.

Soon there were two more significant events. At the end of February 1665, the secretary of the society, Henry Oldenburg, submitted for printing the first issue of a scientific journal - a notebook of 16 pages under the heading "Philosophical Works, containing an account of the latest enterprises, researches and deeds of ingenious people in many important parts of the world" . And in the bookseller's shop on the square in front of the Cathedral of St. Paul appeared book “Micrography, or some physiological descriptions of the smallest bodies by means of magnifying glasses, with their observation and discussion. Composition by R. Hooke, Member of the Royal Society» .
On the title page This scientific work was imprinted with a coat of arms, which has adorned the publications of the Royal Society for 350 years - it can be seen on the books of Faraday, Maxwell, Rutherford. Two Great Danes hold a shield with the emblem of the Stuarts. Under it is the motto: Nullius in Verba ("Nothing in words").
About what meaning was put into these words, borrowed from the "Messages" of Horace ("Do not ask what mentor leads me - whoever he is, I am not obliged to swear by anyone's words"), can be judged by some excerpts from the letters of Oldenburg :
“The Royal Society has made it a rule not to indulge in theological and scholastic word disputes, its only task is to improve knowledge about nature and crafts through observation and experiment ... It gathered not for the sake of interpreting the texts of Aristotle or Plato, but for the sake of researching and explaining the book of nature” . And now the motto of this prestigious scientific organization emphasizes how seriously the creators of the society took the role of experiment in science.

The coat of arms of the Royal Society of London is clearly visible on the title page.

On the recommendation of Robert Boyle, the well-known English naturalist Robert Hooke (Hooke, Robert, 1635-1703) became the curator for organizing experiments at the Royal Society of London in 1662. His knowledge of mechanics and inventive abilities were put to good use here. He always strove to develop some kind of instrument in order to demonstrate his own ideas or to illustrate or clarify any issue that arose in the discussions of the members of the Society. And from 1677 to 1683, Robert Hooke served as secretary of this society. On duty, he was obliged to reproduce at meetings all the experiments, reports of which were received by the Society. Only a brilliant experimenter and engineer-inventor could cope with this task. Fortunately, Robert Hooke was just that.
The name of Robert Hooke forever entered the history of critical care medicine, thanks to his experiments on artificial ventilation of the lungs with the help of furs on animals (1667). These experiments took place as part of the study of the circulatory and respiratory systems, conducted by the famous "Oxford group", which included Robert Boyle(Robert Boyle, 1627-1691); Thomas Willis(Thomas Willis, 1621-1675); William Petty(William Petty, 1623-1687); architect Christopher Wren(C.Wren, 1632-1723); John Locke(John Locke, 1632-1704); John Mayow(John Mayow, 1643-1679); Richard Lover(R.Lower, 1631-1691), and many others.
This group of like-minded people, known in the history of medicine as the "Oxford group", carried out a huge number of interesting anatomical and surgical experiments. So, for example, in some of the research protocols of the group that have survived to this day, it is of interest to describe the removal of the spleen from a dog that remained alive after that.
Direction scientific interests The "Oxford group" was largely determined by the doctrine of the circulatory system created by William Harvey (William Harvey, 1578-1657) in 1628. Harvey described the large and small circles of blood circulation, proved that the heart is the active principle and center of blood circulation, that the mass of blood contained in the body must return back to the heart. Harvey clarified the question of the direction of blood flow and the purpose of the heart valves, explained the true meaning of systole and diastole, showed that blood circulation provides nutrition to tissues, and so on. He presented his theory in a book published in 1628. famous book "Exercitatio Anatomica De Motu Cordis et Sanguinis in Animalibus" , which served as the basis for modern physiology and cardiology.

In the circulatory system described by Harvey, however, there was no important link - the capillaries. It was replenished by an Italian biologist and doctor Marcello Malpighi(Marcello Malpighi, 1628-1694), who discovered the smallest vessels that connect arteries and veins with each other.
Unfortunately, many of the leading representatives of medical science reacted to the new discovery either coldly or sharply negatively. Almost a century and a half passed before doctors fully understood the significance of Harvey's research, and realized that many clinical signs, which until then were considered independent pathological units, such as shortness of breath and dropsy, are associated with impaired cardiac activity.
However, the participants of the "Oxford group" Harvey's teaching was enthusiastically received, and in their experiments they sought to further develop the theory of blood circulation. Since 1656, blood has become the main object of their research.
The main ideological inspirer of the "Oxford group" and the scientific director of research, Robert Boyle, sought to coordinate these studies, highlighting anatomical-physiological and chemical priorities in them.
One of the members of this group, Richard Lower (R.Lower, 1631-1691), began to participate in experiments on intravenous infusions from the beginning of 1662, working together with Thomas Willis (Thomas Willis, 1621-1675). Soon he had an idea: to transfuse blood from one living organism to another, which was first mentioned in a letter from Lover to Robert Boyle in June 1664.

Lover originally planned to conduct two different experiments, which now, from the heights of 21st century medicine, may seem rather naive. The essence of one experiment, carried out as early as August 1665, was the transfusion of blood from a large dog to a small dog, and the subsequent observation whether the four-legged recipient would have the same strength as the donor. Of course, the experience did not confirm the possibility of transferring power with the help of blood transfusion, but the fact of the first documented blood transfusion from one animal to another took place. True, there is evidence that as early as 1656, a blood transfusion from one pig to another was performed by the physician Thomas Cox (T.Cocks).
In another experiment, Lover planned to use two dogs of the same size for blood transfusions. “from the artery of one dog to the vein of another…until they have completely exchanged blood” , which was done jointly with Thomas Willis in February 1666. They transfused blood from the artery in turn from two mastiffs into the vein of a third dog. In this case, the donor dogs died, but the recipient dog remained alive.
In November 1667, Lover performed the first human blood transfusion in England. This man, who consented to a transfusion of sheep's blood, was, as described in the minutes of the Royal Society of London, "a highly eccentric student of theology" , Arthur Coga. The experiment turned out to be successful.
One of the goals of this experiment was to observe what qualities can be transmitted by blood in a transfusion. Koga, demanding payment for this, wrote a ridiculous letter to the Royal Society of London, in which he identified himself "Your creation, which was before a man, by itself, until your experiment turned me into another being" . After such a strong argument, he had to pay 20 shillings. He became very famous, and he was invited to many parties, after which Arthur Koga simply drank himself.
In addition, Richard Lover discovered that the dark venous blood flowing into the air-filled lungs becomes bright red, on the basis of which he concluded that the blood absorbs in the lungs "something out of thin air" . And he showed that this process of changing the color of the blood does not take place in the heart, but precisely in the lungs by means of air, or some component of the air, which he sometimes calls "nitrous spirit" (nitrous spirit), which enters the blood during the process of respiration, and the fact that this intake of air into the blood is very important for living organisms.
By the way, another active member of the "Oxford group", John Mayow (John Mayow, 1643-1679), continuing Lover's experiments, drew attention to the fact that when breathing, not all the air, but only a certain component of it, necessary for life and combustion, which causes a change in the blood circulating in the lungs. Therefore, Meiow 100 years before Lavoisier discovered chemical bond between breathing and burning. Meiou is also known for being the first to discover the expansion of the right ventricle in mitral stenosis. Thus, he laid the foundation for studying the consequences of impaired heart function.
At first glance, the research activities of the members of the "Oxford Science Circle" may seem somewhat chaotic, and their experiments from a height modern knowledge look primitive and even naive. However, a careful analysis of the results of research conducted by the "Oxford group" can, for example, see that these science enthusiasts created the advanced for that time doctrine of respiration. Pay attention to what an interesting logical chain is being built in their experiments. The main scientific and ideological inspirer of the "Oxford group" Robert Boyle proves that air is necessary for combustion and life support; his assistant Robert Hooke conducts experiments on artificial respiration on dogs and proves that it is not the movement of the lungs in itself, but air - essential condition breathing; Richard Lover highlights the problem of air-blood interaction by showing that blood turns bright red when exposed to air and dark red when artificial respiration is interrupted. John Meiou puts the final point, proving that not air itself, but only a certain component of it, is necessary for combustion and life. True, John Mayow assumed that this necessary component is an nitrogenous substance. In fact, he actually discovered oxygen, which was named so only as a result of his second discovery by Joseph Priestley (Joseph Priestley, 1733-1804).

Thus, early history The Royal Society of London shows us that the founders of this society were most directly involved in creating the foundation of knowledge for modern critical care medicine.

on the development of knowledge about nature (The Royal Society of London), the leading scientific society in Great Britain; created in 1660 and approved by Royal Charter in 1662. L. to. is a self-governing private organization. Formally not associated with the activities of government scientific institutions, it plays an important role in the organization and development of scientific research in the UK and acts as an advisory body on major issues of science policy, acts as a national Academy of Sciences in international non-governmental scientific associations etc.

Unlike the national Academy of Sciences of other countries, L. to. does not have its own research base (with the exception of archives, a research station on the Aldabra atoll in Indian Ocean and property of geographical and biological expeditions, which it equips in various regions the globe). Influence on the development of science in the country L. k. o. provides through its members working in research centers. The practical scientific and organizational activities of the society are carried out by committees and commissions created by the Council, which is at the same time supreme body L. to. about.

Traditionally L. to. about. directs its activities mainly to the foundation, research in the field of natural sciences. From the beginning of the 60s. 20th century management of L. to. about. strengthens ties with industry and humanitarian agencies. The admission of representatives of technical sciences to membership in the society has been expanded. It has been studying English system education and ways to improve it, created a Committee for Scientific Research in Industry, as well as a commission for coordinating the work of English scientists and specialists in the fields of medical instrumentation, non-verbal communication, marine pollution, planetology and others. Contacts with the national academies of other countries have expanded, including with most of the academies of the socialist countries.

L. to. about. has (1973) over 700 national and over 70 foreign members. It includes 29 laureates Nobel Prize. Foreign members of the society are representatives of 13 countries, including the USSR: V. A. Ambartsumyan, I. M. Vinogradov, A. N. Kolmogorov, A. N. Nesmeyanov, N. N. Semenov. There are also several foreigners among the national members, among them the Soviet academician P. L. Kapitsa.

Activity L. to. about. financed by parliamentary grants (approximately £0.5 million per annum), sales proceeds scientific publications, annual membership dues and other income. L. to. about. publishes journals: "Phylosophical Transactions" (since 1665) and "Proceedings of the Royal Society" (since 1800). Each journal consists of two series - A (physical and mathematical sciences), B (biological).

I. A. Timofeev.

• - in a broad sense, a set of historically established forms joint activities of people. O. acts as a special, highest stage in the development of living systems ...

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• - representatives of the USA, Great Britain and France on the German question - took place on 23. II-1. VI. Representatives of the Benelux were invited in an advisory capacity...

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• - Between England, France and Italy on "cooperation" in Ethiopia signed 13. XII. L. s. actually meant the division of Ethiopia into spheres of influence ...

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• - on naval armaments - was concluded between the United States, british empire and France 26.III. In December 1936, the Washington maritime treaty 1922 and the London Naval Agreement of 1930...

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• - on the Suez issue - international. meeting held on 19-21 Sept. in London...

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• - one of the main oppositions of history and philosophy of history ...

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• - trade name for wood Lauras Chloroxylon L. from the fam. laurel and Fagraea peregrina from the family. Loganiaceae, brought from India, as joiner's and turning timber...
• - or Bartholomew Lake - the most beautiful lake. Germany, in the Berchtesgaden Alps, in Bavaria, near the east. the soles of Vatsman, 635 m above sea level, together with the Upper Lake. 8 km long, 1 km wide; 198 m depth...

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• - the name of the leading scientific center, often performing the functions of an academy of sciences, in a number of countries - Australia, Great Britain, Denmark, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa ...
• - on the development of knowledge about nature, the leading scientific society of Great Britain; created in 1660 and approved by Royal Charter in 1662. L. to. - a self-governing private organization...

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• - ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, the leading scientific society of Great Britain, one of the oldest scientific centers in Europe. Founded in 1660. Among the initiators is R. Boyle. Among the first leaders...

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"Royal Society of London" in books

author Engdahl William Frederick

The Not-So-Ethical Royal Society Joins the Attack

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Royal Society (1892) Mr. Tesla's lecture will live long in the memory of every person who heard it, revealing to many of them for the first time, apparently endless possibilities application and control of electricity. It was rare to find so many in one place.

London Maritime Agreement

From the book War at Sea. 1939-1945 author Ruge Friedrich

The London Naval Agreement In 1933, the new government adopted these plans, but at first was unable to significantly advance naval armaments. However, the fleet was still able to start working out interaction with aircraft, the very first submarines - and

K. MARX STATEMENT TO THE LONDON COMMUNIST EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY OF GERMAN WORKERS

From the book Volume 16 author Engels Friedrich

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LONDON ECHO OF MOSCOW EXPLOSIONS

From the book Newspaper Tomorrow 466 (44 2002) author Tomorrow Newspaper

LONDON ECHO OF MOSCOW EXPLOSIONS October 28, 2002 0 44(467) Date: 29-10-2002 LONDON ECHO OF MOSCOW EXPLOSIONS (Conversation between Alexander Prokhanov and Boris Berezovsky) Alexander Prokhanov. Boris Abramovich, my question is for you. Victor Alksnis and I, we quickly flew to London in order to

One of the oldest scientific centers in Europe. coordinating fundamental research.

Full title: The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge.

Since 1665, the society has published a periodical Science Magazine: Philosophical works / Philosophical Transactions.

Ku Znetsov B.G., Newton, M., Thought, 1982, p. 94.

The tasks of the society were formulated as follows: Society not will recognize any hypotheses, systems, teachings of natural philosophy, proposed or recognized by ancient or modern philosophers .., but will test and discuss all opinions and not accept them until, after a mature discussion and other evidence given by rightly set experiments, the truth of every proposition will be unquestionably proven.

Historians note that the Royal Society sought to promote and support, so to speak, exalted empiricism. A hypothesis put forward by someone was subjected to experimental verification, in an experiment, and was either accepted and maintained, or inevitably rejected if the evidence of an empirical fact was unfavorable for it. Members of the Society rejected the work performed according to other standards.

So, in 1663, a certain Eckard Leichner, who proposed a work of philosophical and theological content for discussion at a meeting of the Society, was officially answered: The Royal Society is not interested in knowledge on scholastic and theological matters, since its only task is to cultivate knowledge about nature and useful arts through observation and experiment, and expand it for the safety and well-being of mankind. Such are the limits of the activities of the British Philosophers' Assembly, as defined by royal charter, and its members do not consider it possible to violate these limits.

You cannot fail to know that the purpose of this Royal Institute is to advance natural knowledge by experiment, and within this purpose, among other pursuits, its members invite all able men, wherever they may be, to study the Book of Nature, and not the writings of witty men.

Philosophy and Methodology of Science / Ed. IN AND. Kuptsova, M., Aspect Press, 1996, p. 52-53.

Currently, the Royal Society of London is a self-governing private organization that plays an important role in the organization and development of fundamental scientific research in the UK.

The Royal Society is the oldest continuously operating academy of sciences, founded in 1661. Interestingly, it used to discuss new experiments every week.

- Is there some general vector of research direction or does each scientist do what he wants in pursuit of links, etc.?

Here in Russia, the work of scientists has always been more like German system. You have a department, a professor, and all the people in the department work for that professor. In England, each associate professor is independent of the professor and can choose any topic. On the one hand, this is good, because we cover a wider range of research. On the other hand, groups working on a particular topic are small. For example, I have 15 graduate students and employees. In America, a professor of chemistry has more assistants, and your department of chemistry at Moscow State University has always had the most large groups in the world.

What does the Royal Society do in overall structure Science UK?

We don't have institutions. We are not researching, we are a club for the most capable scientists in the world. We do not receive any stipend, on the contrary, we ourselves have to pay a small amount annually to remain members of the Royal Society. Our first function is to identify the most capable scientists in the UK, in the world. It is very important for us to support young scientists. We receive 40 or 50 million pounds from the government to support projects and young scientists at universities, the so-called University research fellows.

Vedeneeva N., A British scientist is not a joke (interview with the Vice-President of the Royal Society Martin Polyakov), weekly MK in St. Petersburg, December 25, 2013 - January 15, 2014, p. 27.

Communities of scientists arose in ancient Greece at first as circles of teachers and students, in which there was an exchange of ideas and opinions. In 387 BC. e. in Athens, the great Plato founded his school and called it the Academy (after mythical hero Academy). The school existed until the 1st century. BC e., remaining a model of scientific activity in the memory of subsequent generations.

The Platonic Academy carried on real collective work not only in philosophy, but also in the field of astronomy and mathematics. In the Hellenistic world, it can be compared with the Alexandrian Museion. In Mouseion and the famous library with him, you can see the beginnings of modern scientific institutes with the gathering of specimens and collections, the employment of scholars for permanent remuneration, and the development of auxiliary disciplines such as textual criticism.

In the east, in the Middle Ages, the “House of Wisdom” in Baghdad (IX century), the “Academy of Mamun” in Khorezm (beginning of the XI century), scientific societies at observatories in Maraga (XIII century), Samarkand (XV century) received the greatest fame. In Europe XV-XVI centuries. Academies were called various scientific societies in Italy, whose activities had a predominantly humanitarian orientation. The famous scientist Marsilio Ficino founded in the 1470s. in Florence, its free scientific fraternity, the Platonic Academy.

Robert Hooke (1635-1703) was one of the founders of the Royal Society of London and its head from 1677-1683. The works of the Society in the field of the theory of light, gravitation, radiation of the structure of organisms determined the development of science in the following centuries.

It did not have a charter and a fixed membership; people of various ranks and occupations took part in its activities: eminent patricians, merchants, diplomats, officials states, clergymen, doctors, university professors, humanists, theologians, poets, artists. Funds for meetings of the brotherhood were given by the ruler of Florence, Lorenzo Medici, nicknamed the Magnificent.

The brilliant Florentine court rendered a huge impact to other European courts. The Baroque era, with its synthesis of all kinds of arts and science, included among the “jewels” necessary for a decent state.

London Academy

In 1660, the London Society came into existence (approved by royal decree in 1662). It was hard time for England: just the restoration of the Stuart dynasty completed the revolution and civil wars. King Charles II took the scientific society under his patronage, prompting the best minds to work for the good of the country. Robert Boyle, founder of modern chemistry, was the first to head the Royal Society. His successors were such eminent scientists as Boyle's assistant Robert Hooke, the future discoverer of the cell, the architect Christopher Wren and, of course, great Isaac Newton.

The Accademia dei Lincei was founded in Italy in 1603. The lynx became its emblem (Italian lince - lynx; its founders swore to cognize nature with eyes as sharp as a lynx). It has been broken up and reborn several times.

Newton's reform of the Mint brought long-awaited financial stability to England and confirmed the kings in the opinion that investments in science always pay off. The Royal Society of London is a self-governing private organization. Formally unrelated to the activities of government scientific institutions, it plays an important role in the organization and development of scientific research in the UK and acts as an advisory body on major issues of science policy.

The Society influences the development of science in the country through its members working in research centers. Traditionally, the Royal Society of London focuses its activities mainly on fundamental research in the natural sciences. The Society is financed by parliamentary grants, as well as from membership fees, sales of scientific publications, etc. Unlike most modern national academies of science, the Royal Society of London does not have its own research base (with a few exceptions).

Paris Academy

From the foggy Albion, its eternal rival, France, has lagged behind for a while. In 1666 King Louis XIV established French Academy sciences (more precisely, natural sciences), better known as unofficial title Parisian. The founder was the General Comptroller of Finance J.-B. Colbert. Unlike London Society, The Paris Academy united not only French scientists, but also leading scientists from other countries. Thus, the leading role of France as the leader of the sciences and arts throughout Europe was emphasized.

In France, the Academy has become a kind of "Ministry of Science". This principle was embodied by the organizer of the academy, the general controller of finances, J.-B. Colbert. This principle of organization of the academy was adopted by Peter I when creating the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The French Academy of Sciences was named Royal until 1793. It consists of 5 departments of physical and mathematical sciences (geometry, mechanics, astronomy, geography and navigation, physics), 6 departments of chemical and natural sciences (chemistry, mineralogy and geology, botany, zoology, agricultural economics, medicine, and surgery) and the department for the application of sciences in industry (founded in 1918). In 1955, a scientific terminology committee was established at the academy.

Russian Academy

Having conceived comprehensive reforms in Russia, Peter I took the Paris Academy as a model for his Academy (by the way, the reformer tsar himself attended meetings of scientific societies both in Paris and London). Having founded the Academy "de siance", he invited foreign scientists to become its members. In the system created by Peter I, the Academy of Sciences became a real Ministry of Science until 1917. Its presidents were appointed by the emperors, none of them until 1917 was a scientist. After the February Revolution, for the first time, an academician, a well-known geologist P. N. Karpinsky, was elected president. After the October Revolution, the Academy changed several names until in 1991 the name of the Russian Academy was returned to it. During the years of revolution and civil war Academy played prominent role in ensuring the survival of scientists and the preservation of science. Although the president of the Academy of Sciences, Karpinsky's successors, was no longer elected, but the choice of the highest party bodies was approved. Nevertheless, all the Soviet presidents of the Academy of Sciences were outstanding scientists of world renown, all were representatives of the natural sciences: V. L. Komarov (1936-1945), S. I. Vavilov (1945-1951), A. N. Nesmyanov (1951-1951- 1961), G. I. Marchuk (1986-1991).

In Gulliver's Travels, Ju Swift gave a caustic parody of the Royal Society of London, presenting it as a bunch of crazy people.
“… The first scientist I visited was a skinny man with a sooty face and hands; his dress, shirt and skin were of the same color… For eight years he developed a project to extract sunlight from cucumbers”

The relationship between Soviet academicians and authorities resembled a shining courtyard Louis XIV– for the sake of the honor of having a diamond of genuine science in their crown, academicians were forgiven to a certain extent for free-thinking and even a little frondism. Almost all Soviet science was concentrated in the institutions of the Academy of Sciences. With the weakening of the state academic science, as closely related to him, began to experience significant difficulties.

Source - The Great Illustrated Encyclopedia.

Royal Society of London- and the Royal Academy of Sciences in France The London Royal Society for the Development of Natural Sciences gathered scientists involved in a new, or experimental, philosophy (1645). In 1662, Charles II approved the Statute, which established ... ... Western philosophy from origins to the present day

- (The Royal Society London), the leading scientific society of Great Britain, one of the oldest scientific centers in Europe. Founded in 1660. Among the initiators is R. Boyle. Among the first leaders. R. Hooke, K. Wren, I. Newton. St. 1 thousand members. Publishes... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

The Royal Society, London is the leading scientific society in Great Britain, one of the oldest scientific centers in Europe. Founded in 1660. Among the initiators is R. Boyle. Among the first leaders were R. Hooke, K. Ren, I. Newton. St. 1 thousand members. Publishes... ... Political science. Vocabulary.

- (The Royal Society, London), the leading scientific society of Great Britain, one of the oldest scientific centers in Europe. Founded in 1660. Among the initiators is R. Boyle. Among the first leaders were R. Hooke, K. Ren, I. Newton. In 1996, over 1 thousand members. ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

on the development of knowledge about nature (The Royal Society of London), the leading scientific society in Great Britain; created in 1660 and approved by Royal Charter in 1662. L. to. self-governing private organization. Not formally associated with ... ...

- (The Royal Society, London), leading researcher. about in the UK, one of the oldest scientific. centers of Europe. Main in 1660. Among the initiators R. Boyle. Among the first leaders were R. Hooke, K. Ren, I. Newton. In 1996 St. 1 thousand members Publishes Philosophical ... ... Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary

Rod of the Royal Society of London The Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, the leading scientific society in Great Britain, one of the oldest in the world; created ... Wikipedia

The name of the leading scientific center, often performing the functions of an academy of sciences, in a number of countries in Australia, Great Britain, Denmark, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa; the oldest K. o. is the Royal Society of London... Big soviet encyclopedia

- (with the Institute of British Geographers) Founded 1830 Abbreviation RGS IBG Patron Elizabeth II President Sir Gordon Conway Location Kensington, London, United Kingdom Number of members 15,000 Website ... Wikipedia

Books

• Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. Vol. LXXIII, year 1910, . London, 1910 Edition of the Royal Statistical Society. Typographic binding. Bandage box. The safety is good. Your attention is invited to the 73rd volume of the periodical…
• A particle at the edge of the universe. How the hunt for the Higgs boson is taking us to the frontiers of a new world, Sean Carroll. The author of the book, a famous American theoretical physicist and a brilliant popularizer of science, talks about physics elementary particles, about the latest achievements of scientists in this field, about grandiose ...