Presidents of the Royal Society
57 People in sitter grouping:
The Royal Society was established in 1660 by a group including Sir Christopher Wren, as 'a Colledge for the Promoting of Physico-Mathematicall Experimentall Learning'. It gained approval from Charles II and acquired a Royal Charter in 1662. The President is elected by the society's council, presides over meetings and is chairman of the Trustees. Initially there was no limit on the time a president could serve. Since 1870, it has been tradition for the President to serve for a 5 year period. In a backlash against the election of wealthy amateurs to position of President, the decision was made in 1847 to elect the President based solely on their scientific credentials.
Physicist; government and military advisor; recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics
Sitter in 26 portraits
William Brouncker, 2nd Viscount Brouncker
1620-1684Mathematician; first President of the Royal Society
Sitter in 4 portraits
Surgeon and founder of a system of antiseptic surgery
Sitter in 16 portraits
Martin John Rees, Baron Rees of Ludlow
1942-Professor of Astronomy and Cosmology and President of the Royal Society
Sitter in 3 portraits
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