• China and the Royal Society

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    From the Royal Society's foundation in 1660, knowledge and understanding of parts of the world which had become newly  accessible to Europeans was high on the Fellows' agenda, as a cornerstone of their scientific information-gathering and its practical application. The Society has remained steadfastly committed to productive dialogue with the culture and science of other lands ever since. This exhibition offers just a small sample of the rich history of intellectual, cultural and material exchange between China and the Royal Society from the seventeenth century to the present day which can be traced using the Society's archives. What emerges is a story of mutual respect, even during periods when political and economic relations between the two countries were far from cordial.

    China and the Royal Society

     

    First impressions
    Chinese culture and botany fascinate Western visitors 

    Give and take
    Reports and specimens were presented to the Society during the 17th and 18th centuries 
    Trading places
    Commerce strengthens links in the 19th century    		 Lives and letters
    Research into the Chinese language

    Joseph and Dorothy Needham
    The Needhams and the Sino-British Science Co-operation Office

    [photo ©The Godfrey Argent Studio]

    Pirie and Hinshelwood
    Fellows of the Royal Society visit China in the 1950s and 1960s

    Thompson and football
    Advancing cultural relations through sport

    [photo ©The Godfrey Argent Studio]

    Lasting impressions
    China and the Royal Society into the future
     

    Visitor information

    The exhibition is open for viewing by appointment until the end of June 2008. Contact us to arrange your visit.

    The Society is located on Carlton House Terrace close to Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross. Click here for a map.
     

    Acknowledgments

    We gratefully acknowledge loans and assistance from the following organisations:

    HSBC Holdings plc

    Needham Research Institute

    Victoria and Albert Museum

    All images were taken by Richard Valencia and are copyright of the Royal Society unless otherwise stated. 

Catalogues

Explore 70,000 books, paintings, manuscripts, busts and artefacts

Collections

An overview of our libraries and archives and how to use them

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Researching the Royal Society's library and archive collections

The Royal Society's library and archives are open to the public. Joining is quick and simple. It takes just a few minutes to register and new readers are always welcome.

Before you visit the library and archives

  • New readers are encouraged to discuss your requirements in advance to ensure that you get the greatest benefit out of your visit.
  • Readers with disabilities: you are encouraged to identify needs in advance of your visit, so that every effort can be made to assist you. Although the Library is located on the first floor, it is accessible by wheelchair.
  • Please ensure you are aware of the reader rules.
  • New readers will be asked to register and produce proof of address and photographic identification, such as a passport. To save time, you can download our registration form and bring it with you.

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