The Royal Society, 1660–1940
A History of its Administration under its Charters

Sir Henry Lyons (1864?1944) was the Director of the Science Museum and the Treasurer of the Royal Society in London. He began researching this administrative history of the Society in 1940, and managed to complete it shortly before his death from ill health. In it, he reviews the way in which the Society's council governed its affairs during the two and a half centuries in which it gained its reputation in the scientific world. A brief bibliography is supplied at the end of every chapter. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of science and the creation and continuation of the Royal Society.

Note by the President of the Royal Society; Introduction; 1. The invisible college: before 1660; 2. The founding of the Society: 1660–70; 3. The difficult years: 1671–1700; 4. Sir Isaac Newton and Sir Hans Sloane: 1701–40; 5. A growing administration: 1741–78; 6. Sir Joseph Banks: 1778–1820; 7. The scientific revolt: 1820–60; 8. A scientific society: 1861–1900; 9. Research: 1901–40; Conclusion; Appendix 1. The second charter, 22 April 1663; Appendix 2. Statistical tables; Appendix 3. Average number of ordinary fellows and of foreign members for each five-year period between 1665 and 1940 (with diagram); Index.