BJHS, 1997, 30, 77–89

Officers and council members of the British Society for the History of Science, 1947–97
J A N E T B R O W N E*

As described elsewhere in this issue of BJHS, preliminary steps towards founding a society for the history of science in Britain were taken in 1946. A meeting was held at the Science Museum, London, on 22 November 1946, chaired by Herbert Dingle, at which Gavin de Beer formally proposed the foundation of a history of science society, seconded by Michael Roberts. A provisional committee was appointed to draw up rules and a constitution. It included :
Dr H. P. Bayon Professor G. R. de Beer Mr C. N. Bromehead Mr F. C. H. Butler (Secretary) Mr J. G. Crowther Professor H. Dingle Dr S. Lilley Mr Michael Roberts Mr H. W. Robinson Dr H. Shaw Dr Charles Singer Mrs Dorothea Singer Dr F. Sherwood Taylor Dr H. Hamshaw Thomas Dr E. Ashworth Underwood

This provisional committee met three times over the next few months. The British Society for the History of Science came into formal being on Monday, 5 May 1947, in the meeting room of the Royal Society, Burlington House, with Dr Sherwood Taylor in the chair. Elections for a president (Charles Singer), vice-presidents, officers and council members took place (see Table 1) and the new constitution was approved. The business of the meeting included a proposal by J. G. Crowther ‘ that the Society should have a Journal ’, seconded by H. P. Bayon, although nothing further was agreed. Seventyone founder members joined at a subscription of one guinea (see the list, p. 79). The new Society was active during its first year. From the very first council meeting, held on 14 May 1947 in the Science Museum, the question of publications became an issue, and a possible journal, newsletter and ‘ authoritative translations of classical scientific works ’ were in turn explored." A Philosophy of Science Group was set up, run as a relatively independent wing from February 1948 to November 1958 when a separate society was established. This group was initiated by Herbert Dingle at University College London, where most of the early meetings took place. Many eminent philosophers of science became members. The BSHS itself ran to 174 members by 1 June 1948. That month, the Society’s slim, twenty-four page Bulletin began publication under the acting editorship of Samuel Lilley, passing into the hands of N. H. de V. Heathcote in April 1950. The Bulletin included meeting reports, abstracts of papers, presidential addresses, book reviews and
* Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. 1 Minutes of the Society, Science Museum Library, BSHS Archive, 1\1.

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Table 1. Foundation officers and council, British Society for the History of Science, 1947–48. Drawn from the Bulletin of the British Society for the History of Science (1949), 1, 3–4
President : Dr Charles Singer Vice-presidents : Professor H. Dingle Dr E. J. Holmyard Sir Arthur MacNalty Hon. secretary : Mr F. C. H. Butler Hon. treasurer : Mr H. W. Robinson Council ; Dr H. P. Bayon Professor G. R. de Beer Mr C. N. Bromehead Mr J. G. Crowther Dr Dorothy Feyer Dr S. Lilley Dr D. McKie Mr H. T. Pledge Dr H. Shaw Dr H. Hamshaw Thomas Sir Henry Thomas Dr E. Ashworth Underwood Professor J. R. Partington Mrs Dorothea Singer Dr F. Sherwood Taylor

miscellaneous notices. It ran somewhat erratically from 1949 to 1961 (vols. 1 and 2, 258 pp. and 116 pp. respectively), towards the end being published as an annex to Annals of Science. It was superseded in 1962 by the British Journal for the History of Science (vol. 1 onwards) under the editorship of H. D. Anthony. The Bulletin also produced occasional supplements on the activities of the Philosophy of Science Group. During the first year the Society held three public meetings in the Science Museum for the reading of scholarly papers and discussion : the papers had to be approved by the Publications sub-committee before being read. Tickets to these meetings were issued to London students but it was thought by council members that students would mostly be too busy to attend. At the Annual General Meeting on 4 May 1948 Charles Singer initiated the practice of delivering a presidential address. His address, on ‘ The Role of the History of Science ’, is reprinted in this issue of the BJHS. Subsequent milestones include the award of Honorary Membership to prominent figures (a practice long since ceased), beginning with George Sarton who received the honour in person on 9 May 1948 ; the official incorporation of the Society as a company limited by guarantee under the Societies Act on 6 May 1956, and as a Registered Charity on 1 January 1961 ; the introduction in 1980 of a biennial Singer Prize for an outstanding student essay ; and the foundation of an Education Section in 1987. In 1969 W. H. Brock produced the first List of Theses and Dissertions ; in 1980 Peter Collins began the Newsletter ; in 1992 Geoffrey Cantor published the first BSHS Guide to History of Science Courses in Britain. The Monograph series has gone from strength to strength since its inauguration in 1978. The Society is still represented in the international organizations that were involved in its foundation.

Officers 1947–97
OFFICERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE, 1947–97

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Officers are listed chronologically according to first date of office, and council members according to electoral year. The Society’s year used to run from May to May. Presidents C. Singer, 1947–49 J. R. Partington, 1949–51 F. Sherwood Taylor, 1951–53 H. Hamshaw Thomas, 1953–55 H. Dingle, 1955–57 E. Ashworth Underwood, 1957–62 T. Martin, 1962–64 A. C. Crombie, 1964–66 A. R. Hall, 1966–68 G. J. Whitrow, 1968–70 W. P. D. Wightman, 1970–72 J. A. Chaldecott, 1972–74 Vice-presidents H. Dingle, 1947–50, 1953–55, 1957–60, 1961–64 E. J. Holmyard, 1947–50 A. MacNalty, 1947–49 J. R. Partington, 1947–49, 1951–55, 1958–59 Dorothea Singer, 1947–50 F. Sherwood Taylor, 1947–50, 1955–56 C. Singer, 1949–56 H. Hamshaw Thomas, 1949–51, 1955–58, 1959–61 H. Butterfield, 1950–52 D. McKie, 1950–53, 1958–61 C. E. Raven, 1950–52 E. Ashworth Underwood, 1950–53, 1962–64 A. C. Crombie, 1952–55, 1962–64, 1966–68 L. Rosenfeld, 1952–55 R. S. Whipple, 1953–54 A. Armitage, 1955–58, 1961–64 T. Martin, 1955–57, 1958–61, 1964–67

M. P. Crosland, 1974–76 D. W. Waters, 1976–78 W. H. Brock, 1978–80 R. Fox, 1980–82 J. B. Morrell, 1982–84 G. L’E. Turner, 1984–86 C. A. Russell, 1986–88 R. G. W. Anderson, 1988–90 H. S. Torrens, 1990–92 G. N. Cantor, 1992–94 D. M. Knight, 1994–96 J. H. Brooke, 1996– H. Heywood, 1956–59 G. J. Whitrow, 1955–58, 1959–62 E. G. R. Taylor, 1956–59 T. C. S. Morrison-Scott, 1961–62 Margaret Rowbottom, 1959–62 D. Chilton, 1962–63, 1971–74 F. Greenaway, 1962–63, 1964–65 D. H. Follett, 1963–66 F. H. C. Butler, 1965–68 A. R. Hall, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1976–79 W. P. D. Wightman, 1966–69, 1972–73 W. A. Smeaton, 1968–71 J. A. Chaldecott, 1969–72, 1974–75 W. T. Stearn, 1969–72 M. P. Crosland, 1971–74 J. D. North, 1971–74 D. W. Waters, 1972–75, 1978–81 M. P. Earles, 1974–76 P. M. Rattansi, 1974–77 Mary B. Hesse, 1975–77 H. G. L. Bevan, 1977–80 R. Fox, 1977–78, 1982–83 J. B. Morrell, 1978–81, 1984–85

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H. S. Torrens, 1989–90, 1992–93 G. N. Cantor, 1991–92, 1994–95 D. M. Knight, 1993–94, 1996–97 J. H. Brooke, 1995–96

G. L’E. Turner, 1979–84, 1986–87 W. H. Brock, 1980–81 C. A. Russell, 1985–86, 1988–89 R. G. W. Anderson, 1987–88, 1990–91 Secretaries F. H. C. Butler, 1947–63 J. A. Chaldecott, 1963–69 M. P. Earles, 1969–74 H. G. L. Bevan, 1974–77 W. F. Bynum, 1977–81 Treasurers H. W. Robinson, 1947–49 F. A. Freeth, 1949–52 H. R. Calvert, 1952–63 D. Chilton, 1963–69 G. L’E. Turner, 1969–79 Editors S. Lilley, 1948–49 N. H. de V. Heathcote, 1948–61 H. D. Anthony, 1961–65 M. P. Crosland, 1965–71 R. Fox, 1971–77 Assistant editor Mary B. Hesse, 1957–58 Publications secretaries F. H. C. Butler, 1963–65 Programme secretaries M. P. Earles, 1965–67 H. G. L. Bevan, 1967–74 A. M. Duncan, 1974–81 B. J. Norton, 1981–85 Newsletter editors P. M. D. Collins, 1981–85 Mari E. W. Williams, 1985–89

G. N. Cantor, 1981–87 J. V. Golinski, 1987–89 C. W. Smith, 1989–95 J. Hughes, 1995–

J. H. Brooke, 1979–85 P. M. D. Collins, 1985–89 R. C. Olby, 1989–93 Mari E. W. Williams, 1993–

N. W. Fisher, 1976–82 D. M. Knight, 1981–88 J. H. Brooke, 1988–93 Janet Browne, 1993–

J. D. North, 1965–71

J. V. Pickstone, 1986–91 S. Pumfrey, 1991–96 J. E. Agar, 1996–

F. A. J. L. James, 1989–

Officers 1947–97
Monograph series editors R. Smith, 1981–85 J. G. Smith, 1985–90 External affairs officers Patricia Fara, 1993–95 Membership secretary Sally M. Horrocks, 1996– Council, 1947–48 H. P. Bayon G. R. de Beer C. N. Bromehead J. G. Crowther Dorothy Feyer S. Lilley Council, 1948–49 H. P. Bayon C. N. Bromehead A. C. Crombie J. G. Crowther V. A. Eyles Dorothy Feyer Council, 1949–50 H. P. Bayon H. Butterfield A. C. Crombie V. A. Eyles Dorothy Feyer S. Lilley Council, 1950–51 H. P. Bayon A. C. Crombie H. Dingle V. A. Eyles Dorothy Feyer N. H. de V. Heathcote P. J. Weindling, 1990–96 J. F. M. Clark, 1996–

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D. E. H. Edgerton, 1996–

D. McKie H. T. Pledge H. Shaw H. Hamshaw Thomas H. Thomas E. Ashworth Underwood

F. A. Freeth S. Lilley L. Rosenfeld H. Shaw H. Hamshaw Thomas E. Ashworth Underwood

T. Martin S. F. Mason D. McKie L. Rosenfeld H. Shaw E. Ashworth Underwood

T. Martin S. F. Mason J. Needham F. J. North L. Rosenfeld R. S. Whipple

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T. Martin J. Needham F. J. North L. Rosenfeld H. Hamshaw Thomas R. S. Whipple

Council, 1951–52 A. Armitage R. S. Clay A. C. Crombie C. H. Desch H. Dingle N. H. de V. Heathcote Council, 1952–53 A. Armitage R. S. Clay H. Dingle F. A. Freeth A. R. Hall N. H. de V. Heathcote Council, 1953–54 A. Armitage J. A. Chaldecott R. S. Clay A. R. Hall N. H. de V. Heathcote H. Heywood Council, 1954–55 A. Armitage J. A. Chaldecott R. S. Clay A. R. Hall N. H. de V. Heathcote H. Heywood Council, 1955–56 J. A. Chaldecott A. C. Crombie Joan M. Eyles Dorothy Feyer A. R. Hall H. Heywood Council, 1956–57 A. H. G. Alston J. A. Chaldecott A. C. Crombie

H. Heywood T. Martin F. J. North C. Singer H. Hamshaw Thomas R. S. Whipple

E. J. Holmyard T. Martin Eva G. R. Taylor F. Sherwood Taylor E. Ashworth Underwood G. J. Whitrow

E. J. Holmyard T. Martin Eva G. R. Taylor F. Sherwood Taylor E. Ashworth Underwood

W. Mays J. R. Partington D. J. Price L. Rosenfeld Eva G. R. Taylor

Joan M. Eyles Dorothy Feyer J. R. Partington

Officers 1947–97
D. J. Price L. Rosenfeld Margaret Rowbottom Council, 1957–58 J. A. Chaldecott D. Chilton A. C. Crombie Dorothy Feyer Mary B. Hesse T. Martin Council, 1958–59 A. Armitage J. A. Chaldecott D. Chilton Dorothy Feyer F. Greenaway Mary B. Hesse Council, 1959–60 A. Armitage G. Burniston Brown D. Chilton Dorothy Feyer J. S. L. Gilmour F. Greenaway Council, 1960–61 H. D. Anthony A. Armitage G. Burniston Brown J. A. Chaldecott D. Chilton H. Dingle Council, 1961–62 G. Burniston Brown J. A. Chaldecott D. Chilton A. C. Crombie D. H. Follett J. S. L. Gilmour J. F. Scott C. Singer J. O. Wisdom

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J. R. Partington L. Rosenfeld Margaret Rowbottom J. F. Scott L. L. Whyte J. S. Wilkie

Margaret Rowbottom J. F. Scott H. Hamshaw Thomas G. J. Whitrow L. L. Whyte J. S. Wilkie

Mary B. Hesse T. C. S. Morrison-Scott J. F. Scott L. L. Whyte J. S. Wilkie

J. S. L. Gilmour F. Greenaway T. C. S. Morrison-Scott W. A. Smeaton W. P. D. Wightman J. S. Wilkie

S. C. Goddard F. Greenaway N. H. de V. Heathcote M. A. Hoskin T. Martin W. P. D. Wightman

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M. A. Hoskin J. R. Ravetz Margaret Rowbottom W. T. Stearn G. J. Whitrow W. P. D. Wightman

Council, 1962–63 G. Burniston Brown J. A. Chaldecott D. H. Follett S. C. Goddard N. H. de V. Heathcote Mary B. Hesse Council, 1963–64 H. R. Calvert Dorothy Feyer S. C. Goddard N. H. de V. Heathcote Mary B. Hesse M. A. Hoskin Council, 1964–65 H. R. Calvert A. Clow Dorothy Feyer A. R. Hall N. H. de V. Heathcote M. A. Hoskin Council, 1965–66 H. R. Calvert D. S. L. Cardwell E. Clarke A. Clow Dorothy Feyer F. Greenaway Council, 1966–67 D. S. L. Cardwell E. Clarke A. Clow W. S. C. Copeman A. M. Duncan Dorothy Feyer Council, 1967–68 D. S. L. Cardwell E. Clarke W. S. C. Copeman

D. McKie J. R. Ravetz Margaret Rowbottom W. A. Smeaton W. T. Stearn G. J. Whitrow

J. N. F. Morris Margaret Rowbottom W. A. Smeaton W. T. Stearn E. Ashworth Underwood J. S. Wilkie

J. N. F. Morris Margaret Rowbottom W. A. Smeaton W. T. Stearn E. Ashworth Underwood

F. Greenaway J. W. Herivel M. A. Hoskin D. M. Knight J. N. F. Morris W. A. Smeaton

A. M. Duncan E. G. Forbes F. Greenaway

Officers 1947–97
J. W. Herivel M. A. Hoskin D. M. Knight Council, 1968–69 W. H. Brock A. M. Duncan E. G. Forbes J. W. Herivel M. A. Hoskin D. M. Knight L. L. Laudan Council, 1969–70 W. H. Brock D. Chilton A. M. Duncan E. G. Forbes J. W. Herivel D. M. Knight Council, 1970–71 W. H. Brock D. Chilton E. G. Forbes R. Fox Marie B. Hall F. N. L. Poynter Council, 1971–72 W. H. Brock R. A. Buchanan J. K. Crellin Marie B. Hall A. G. Molland P. M. Rattansi Council, 1972–73 E. J. Aiton R. A. Buchanan J. K. Crellin Marie B. Hall Mary B. Hesse A. G. Keller L. L. Laudan C. A. Russell G. L’E. Turner

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F. N. L. Poynter C. A. Russell W. T. Stearn G. L’E. Turner D. W. Waters

F. N. L. Poynter J. R. Ravetz C. A. Russell D. W. Waters W. P. D. Wightman R. M. Young

J. R. Ravetz C. A. Russell A. I. Sabra D. W. Waters G. J. Whitrow R. M. Young

J. R. Ravetz J. L. Russell A. I. Sabra D. W. Waters G. J. Whitrow R. M. Young

A. G. Molland R. C. Olby P. M. Rattansi M. J. S. Rudwick J. L. Russell G. J. Whitrow

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A. G. Keller R. C. Olby A. D. Orange P. M. Rattansi M. J. S. Rudwick J. L. Russell

Council, 1973–74 E. J. Aiton W. H. Brock R. A. Buchanan J. K. Crellin A. R. Hall Mary B. Hesse Council, 1974–75 E. J. Aiton W. H. Brock J. K. Crellin W. V. Farrar N. W. Fisher E. G. Forbes Council, 1975–76 W. F. Bynum W. V. Farrar E. G. Forbes A. R. Hall S. F. Mason A. D. Orange Council, 1976–77 W. F. Bynum A. Chapman J. R. R. Christie W. V. Farrar E. G. Forbes F. Greenaway Council, 1977–78 B. Bracegirdle A. Chapman J. R. R. Christie F. Greenaway A. J. Meadows J. B. Morrell Council, 1978–79 B. Bracegirdle D. J. Bryden G. N. Cantor

A. R. Hall Mary B. Hesse A. G. Keller S. F. Mason A. D. Orange J. L. Russell

J. R. R. Christie N. W. Fisher F. Greenaway A. G. Keller J. B. Morrell R. S. Porter

S. F. Mason R. M. MacLeod A. J. Meadows J. B. Morrell R. S. Porter Gerrylyn K. Roberts

R. H. Naylor J. V. Pickstone R. S. Porter Gerrylyn K. Roberts W. F. Ryan S. A. Shapin

A. Chapman A. J. Meadows R. H. Naylor

Officers 1947–97
J. V. Pickstone Gerrylyn K. Roberts W. F. Ryan Council, 1979–80 D. E. Allen B. Bracegirdle D. J. Bryden G. N. Cantor B. A. Haines B. J. Norton Council, 1980–81 D. E. Allen D. J. Bryden G. N. Cantor P. M. D. Collins J. R. Durant B. A. Haines Council, 1981–82 D. E. Allen R. G. W. Anderson I. Grattan-Guinness B. A. Haines A. R. Hall Council, 1982–83 R. G. W. Anderson D. C. Gooding I. Grattan-Guinness D. Layton J. V. Pickstone Council, 1983–84 R. G. W. Anderson D. Bloor Sophie Forgan D. C. Gooding I. Grattan-Guinness Council, 1984–85 D. Bloor Sophie Forgan S. A. Shapin C. W. Smith R. Smith

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J. V. Pickstone C. A. Russell W. F. Ryan S. A. Shapin C. W. Smith R. Smith

Ludmilla J. Jordanova B. J. Norton C. A. Russell C. W. Smith R. Smith P. B. Wood

Ludmilla J. Jordanova J. V. Pickstone C. A. Russell P. B. Wood

M. Stanley N. A. Taylor H. Wallis P. B. Wood

J. V. Pickstone M. Stanley N. A. Taylor Mari E. W. Williams

D. C. Gooding M. Hunter

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N. A. Taylor Mari E. W. Williams

S. Schaffer M. Shortland M. Stanley Council, 1985–86 J. A. Bennett D. Bloor R. Bud Sophie Forgan M. Hunter Council, 1986–87 J. A. Bennett R. Bud A. Gabbey J. C. Henry M. Hunter Council, 1987–88 J. A. Bennett R. Bud Stella Butler A. Gabbey J. C. Henry Council, 1988–89 Stella Butler D. E. H. Edgerton A. Gabbey J. C. Henry G. L. Herries-Davies Council, 1989–90 Janet Browne Stella Butler Elspeth Crawford D. E. H. Edgerton G. L. Herries-Davies Council, 1990–91 P. J. Bowler Janet Browne Elspeth Crawford D. E. H. Edgerton G. L. Herries-Davies

R. C. Olby S. Schaffer M. Shortland S. W. Sturdy

R. C. Olby S. Schaffer M. Shortland S. W. Sturdy

R. C. Olby J. A. Secord S. W. Sturdy A. C. Warwick

R. C. Olby J. A. Secord H. S. Torrens A. C. Warwick

Gill Hudson C. J. Lawrence J. A. Secord A. C. Warwick

Gill Hudson D. G. King-Hele C. J. Lawrence Dorinda Outram

Officers 1947–97
Council, 1991–92 P. J. Bowler Janet Browne Elspeth Crawford J. Harwood Gill Hudson Council, 1992–93 P. J. Bowler W. F. Bynum Elspeth Crawford Patricia Fara J. Harwood Council, 1993–94 W. F. Bynum Elspeth Crawford P. R. Ellis Patricia Fara J. Harwood Council, 1994–95 J. E. Agar W. F. Bynum P. R. Ellis Patricia Fara Sally M. Horrocks Council, 1995–96 J. E. Agar P. R. Ellis G. J. N. Gooday Penelope Gouk Sally M. Horrocks Council, 1996–97 J. E. Agar P. R. Ellis G. J. N. Gooday Penelope Gouk D. G. King-Hele C. J. Lawrence Dorinda Outram Gerrylyn K. Roberts

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D. G. King-Hele Dorinda Outram Gerrylyn K. Roberts J. R. Topham

Sally M. Horrocks Gerrylyn K. Roberts Anne Secord J. R. Topham

M. J. Kemp A. Q. Morton Anne Secord J. R. Topham

M. J. Kemp A. Q. Morton J. S. Rowlinson Anne Secord

M. J. Kemp A. Q. Morton J. S. Rowlinson

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Eva G. R. Taylor, 1961 H. Hamshaw Thomas, 1961 Alexandre Koyre! , 1963 J. R. Partington, 1963

Honorary members George Sarton, 1948 D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson, 1948 Charles Sherrington, 1948 Charles Singer, 1956 Singer Prize winners M. Ridley, 1980 S. Schaffer and Mari Williams, 1982 Not awarded, 1984 M. Shortland, 1986

G. Gooday and M. Ben-Chaim, 1988 J. Topham and M. Harrison, 1990 J. Agar, 1992 D. Wright and P. Lucier, 1994