ROYAL SOCIETY (OF EDINBURGH) was incorporated by royal charter in 1783. It owed its origin to principal Robertson, the historian, who successfully labored to found in Edinburgh a society on the model of the Berlin academy, for the investigation and discussion of subjects in every branch of science, erudition, and taste. The society was formally constituted at a meeting held in the college library on June 23, 1783, where the subsequent meetings were held till 1810, when the society purchased a house in George street. In 1826 the society removed to its present apartment, leased from government, in the royal institution building in Princes street. The original list of members included the names of most of the literati of Scotland. The first president was Henry, duke of Buceleuch. He was succeeded in 1812 by sir James Hall, who, resigning in 1820, was succeeded by sir Walter Scott. On the death of sir Walter in 1832, sir Thomas M'Dou gall Brisbane was appointed president; and was succeeded in 1860 by the duke of Argyle. In 1864 sir David Brewster, K.11. , became successor to the duke, on whose death, in 1869, sir R. Christison was elected. In 1873 sir William Thomson was elected, and
held that honorable office for a period of five years.
The meetings of the society are held on the 1st and 3d Mondays of every month from November to June. The admission fee of resident fellows is £2 2s., and the annual contribution is £3 3s.. which, after 10 years, is reduced to £2 2s., and ceases after 25 years' membership. The society is also assisted by an annual grant of £300 voted by parliament. The papers read before this learned body are published in its Transactions, of which 26 volumes have been published in quarto. Abstracts of the papers also appear in its Proceedings, of which 7 volumes have appeared in octavo.
The number of ordinary fellows is upward of 370; and of honorary fellows, near 60.
The society has the disposal of some valuable prizes, which are bestowed on the authors of the best communications on scientific and other subjects. These are the Keith prize, founded by Alexander Keith of Dnnnottar; the M'Dougall Brisbane prize, founded by sir Thomas M. Brisbane; and the Neill prize, founded by Patrick Neill, esq., LL. D.