Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society
The Royal Society began publishing obituaries of its members in 1932. Before that year, these notices appeared within the Proceedings of the Royal Society. The new journal took the name Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society upon its launch. A significant change occurred in 1955 when editors renamed it Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society. This renaming also reset the volume numbering back to one. The shift marked a deliberate move toward more expansive biographical records rather than simple death announcements.
Albert Einstein received a full biography within these pages after his passing. Alan Turing appears among the distinguished list of subjects honored here. Erwin Schrödinger also has a dedicated memoir published by the society. Other notable figures include Bertrand Russell, Claude Shannon, Ernst Mayr, and Clement Attlee. These entries preserve the intellectual history of the twentieth century through the lens of individual lives. The journal captures the breadth of scientific achievement across physics, mathematics, and political science.
Most memoirs contain a complete bibliography of works written by the subject. This inclusion transforms each article into a comprehensive historical record for future researchers. Scholars can trace the entire output of a scientist without needing external archives. The requirement for full bibliographies sets this publication apart from standard obituary sections in other journals. It serves as an essential reference tool for historians of science seeking primary source verification.
All contents of the Biographical Memoirs are freely available to read online. No subscription barriers exist for anyone wishing to access these records. This policy ensures that the historical data reaches students, independent scholars, and the general public equally. The Royal Society removed paywalls to maximize the utility of its archival work. Readers today can view decades of biographical data with a single click.
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Common questions
When did the Royal Society begin publishing obituaries of its members?
The Royal Society began publishing obituaries of its members in 1932. Before that year, these notices appeared within the Proceedings of the Royal Society.
What was the original name of the Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society journal before 1955?
The new journal took the name Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society upon its launch in 1932. Editors renamed it Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society in 1955 and reset the volume numbering back to one.
Who is the current Editor-in-Chief for the Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society?
Malcolm Longair serves as the current Editor-in-Chief for this annual publication. He succeeded Trevor Stuart in the year 2016.
Which famous scientists have received full biographies in the Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society?
Albert Einstein received a full biography within these pages after his passing. Alan Turing appears among the distinguished list of subjects honored here alongside Erwin Schrödinger, Bertrand Russell, Claude Shannon, Ernst Mayr, and Clement Attlee.
How many memoirs does Malcolm Longair and his team collate each year for the Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society?
Each year, Longair and his team collate approximately 40 to 50 memoirs about deceased Fellows. These texts often come from scientists of the next generation who knew the subject well or are former students of the deceased Fellow.