• Books

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    Our book collection’s strengths lie in the 17th and 18th centuries and there are extensive runs of 19th century books as well. 

    Detail from Opera Omnia by Marcello Malpighi (London, 1686).

    From the 1680s to the mid 19th century the policy of the Library was to acquire every important scientific publication. In addition, since 1661, Fellows have tended to donate copies of their own works.

    The subjects covered by the collection extend beyond the main sciences to areas such as travel, expeditions and philosophy. Current purchasing policy focuses on history of science books, which place the major original works in our collection in their historical context.

    The donation in 1667 of the library of Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel, accounts for many of the books which predate the foundation of the Society. We also hold a significant collection of biographies of scientists from 1660 onwards.

    We now focus on purchasing history of science books, which place the collection in their historical context. See a list of our latest acquisitions of printed works (PDF, 2011).

    Many of the most important books were displayed in the ‘Treasures of the Royal Society Library’ exhibition in 2012. 

    Browse by classmark

    Classmark

    Description

    A. Parlt. Pubs

    UK Parliamentary publications, mainly 1950-2010

    Astronomy

    Books published 1650-1949

    B. Acts/Bills

    UK legislation, mainly science and education 1961-2003

    Bibliog.

    Bibliograpies for various scientific topics, 1703-2000

    Biog.

    Biographies of scientists

    Biology

    Books published 1660-1949

    Blagden

    Books from the collection of Charles Blagden

    Chemistry

    Books published 1653-1949

    Coll.Biog.

    Collected Biographies of scientists

    Cook

    Books by and about James Cook, 1773-1988

    Early FRS

    Books by Early Fellows of the Royal Society, mainly 1639-1859

    Earth

    Books on the earth sciences published 1670-1949

    Engineering

    Books published 1651-1949

    Expeditions

    Books published 1800-1966

    Fellows in Fiction

    Contemporary novels featuring Fellows of the Royal Society

    Fine Bindings

    Small collection of books with decorative bindings, 1503-1908

    General Sc.

    General Science books published 1653-1949

    Hist.Astron

    History of Astronomy published since 1950

    Hist.Biol.

    History of Biology published since 1950

    Hist.Chem.

    History of Chemistry published since 1950

    Hist.Geol.

    History of Geology published since 1950

    Hist.Instr.

    History of Instruments published since 1950

    Hist.Maths

    History of Mathematics published since 1950

    Hist.Med.

    History of Medicine published since 1950

    Hist.Physics

    History of Physics published since 1950

    Hist.Sc.

    History of Science (general) published since 1950

    Hist.Tech.

    History of Technology published since 1950

    Hist.Travel

    History of Travel published since 1950

    Incunabula

    Books published pre-1501

    Instruments

    Books published 1654-1949

    Maths

    Books published 1650-1949

    Medicine

    Books published 1651-1949

    NCUACS

    Catalogues of scientists’ papers from the National Cataloguing Unit for the Archives of Contemporary Scientists

    Newton

    Books by and about Isaac Newton, from 1672 onwards

    Oversize

    Large-format illustrated publications on a range of scientific topics, 1628-2000

    Physics

    Books published 1652-1949

    Post-Incunabula

    Books published 1501-1520

    Roy.Soc.

    Books about the Royal Society from 1750 onwards

    RS Box

    Royal Society publications from 1931 onwards

    Tracts

    Miscellaneous papers about science and scientists from 1480 onwards

    Trave

    Books published 1650-1949

    Valvasoriana

    17-volume set of the ‘Iconotheca Valvasoriana’, published 2009

    Works

    Publications by Fellows of the Royal Society from 1707 onwards

     

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Our mission

To recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity.

Our priorities

  • Promoting science and its benefits
  • Recognising excellence in science
  • Supporting outstanding science
  • Providing scientific advice for policy
  • Fostering international and global cooperation
  • Education and public engagement

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