Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)

Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)

Founding of the Society

Year Authority / Notes

1783 According to Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.2, a Society for the Improvement of Medical Knowledge was founded in 1731, and published five volumes of its Medical Essays and Observations, which were translated into several languages.
Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.2 go on to say that, in 1737, Colin Maclaurin suggested that the scope of the Society be broadened to include literature and philosophy. The Society thus augmented became the Edinburgh Society for improving Arts and Sciences and particularly Natural Knowledge, or, in brief, the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh. After some delay, a first volume of their Essays and Observations, Physical and Literary appeared in 1754. A second volume appeared in 1756, and a third in 1771.
Campbell / Smellie (1983), pp.2-3 indicate that, towards the end of its life, the Society led an uncertain existence, and it was desired that it be replaced by a more permanent and comprehensive society. Late in 1782 a proposal for just such an establishment was drawn up at a meeting of the Professors of the University of Edinburgh, many of whom were also members of the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh.
According to Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.4, on 1782, November 30, a petition was submitted to the King for a Royal Society of Edinburgh, and on 1783, March 29, the King granted it. From this date, we must take the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh to be ceased and the Royal Society of Edinburgh to be founded.

Seat of the Society

City Authority / Notes

Edinburgh
Scotland This location is supported by the name of the Society.

Name of the Society

Dates Name Authority

1783, March 29 - Royal Society of Edinburgh Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.4 gives this start date for this name.

Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Website = http://www.rse.org.uk/

Journals of the Society

Years Full Journal Title Abbrev. Indexed
1788 - 1966
(v.1 - v.66, no.18)

A Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
According to the record in the Harvard Univ. cat., the first 4 vols. are each in 3 sections: History of the society, Papers of the Physical class, and Papers of the Literary class; the Literary class ceased to appear after v. 4; the "History", which appeared in v. 1-5, included the proceedings for 1783-1803, after which the publication of proceedings was suspended until Dec. 1832, when the society began to issue an independent series entitled Proceedings; suspended 1804-Dec. 1832.
According to Scudder, #124b and #117, this title continues Essays and Observations, Physical and Literary : read before a society in Edinburgh, and published by them (published by the Philosophical Society in Edinburgh), Continued by E.
[Harvard Univ. cat.; Scudder #124b]
Edin. Trans.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 104 (1814), p.127 cites 3rd Vol.]
Edinb. Philos. Trans.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 109 (1819), p.163 cites Vol. VIII.]
Edinb. Roy. Soc. Trans.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 164 (1874), p.114 cites xxv. 1869.]
Edinb. Roy. Soc. Trans.
[RSLC, v.1, p.xxx]
Edinb. Soc. Tr.
[Pogg, v.1, col.206 cites Vol. II.]
Edinb. Tr.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 81 (1791), p.49 cites I.]
Edinb. Tr.
[Pogg, v.1, col.43 cites XV. 1842, XVI. 1847, XVI. 1849, XX. 1853; these are articles by Thomas Anderson, which RSLC, v.1, p.64 cites as Edinb. Trans. Roy. Soc..]
Edinb. Trans.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 81 (1791), p.68 cites Vol. I.]
Edinb. Transact.
[Pogg., v.1, col.295 cites an article by David Brewster in VI, 1806; the corresponding entry in RSLC, v.1, p.613 gives the reference as Edinb. Roy. Soc. Trans., VI., 1812.]
Edinb. Transactions
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 94 (1804), p.274 cites Vol. V.]
Edinburgh Philosophical Transactions
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 150 (1860), p.153 cites pp. 529, 530 of an article by David Brewster on atmospheric lines in vol. xii; the corresponding entry in RSLC, v.1, p.618, #144 gives the abbrev. as Edinb. Roy. Soc. Trans.]
Edinburgh, Roy. Soc. Trans.
[RSLC, v.9, p.xvi]
Edinburgh Trans.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 88 (1798), p.378 cites Vol. III.]
Edinburgh Transactions
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 81 (1791), p.48 cites Vol. I.]
Phil. Trans. Edinb.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 150 (1860), p.157 cites p. 522 of an article by David Brewster on atmospheric lines in vol. xii; the corresponding entry in RSLC, v.1, p.618, #144 gives the abbrev. as Edinb. Roy. Soc. Trans.]
Tr. Edinb. Soc.
[Pogg, v.1, col.205 cites Vol. V.]
Trans. Edinb. Soc.
[Pogg, v.1, col.32 cites Vol. VI. VII, VIII, IX, XI.]
Trans. of the R. S. of Edinburgh
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 88 (1798), p.329 cites Vol. III.]
Trans. of the Soc. of Edinburgh
[Osiris, Vol. 8 (1948), p.259 cites T. XIV, 1868.]
Trans. R. S. Edin.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 131 (1841), p.17 cites vol. xiv.]
Trans. R. Soc. Edinburgh
[Phil. Trans., B Vol. 198 (1906), p.408 cites vol. 39 (1900).]
Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 144 (1854), p.354 cites 1849.]
Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 144 (1854), p.124 cites vol. xx.]
Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 164 (1874), p.504 cites vol. xii.]
Transact. Edinb. Soc.
[Pogg, v.1, col.42.]
Transact. of the Soc. of Edinb.
[Reuss, v.1, p.38 cites Vol.2.]
Transact. of the Soc. of Edinburgh
[Reuss, v.4, p.15 cites Vol. I and Vol. 8.]
Transactions Roy. Soc. of Edinburgh
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 173 (1882), p.347 cites vol. viii.]
T.R.S. Edinburgh
[Geographical Journal, Vol. 4, No. 1 (Jul., 1894), p.88 cites 37 (1893).] Pogg
Reuss

RSLC

1789[?]
[i.e. pub. 1789]
(1.)

Aa Philosophische und historische Abhandlungen der Königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaft zu Edinburgh
[Full-text of 1.1789 is available at Göttinger DigitalisierungsZentrum GDZ.]
According to the full-text at the Göttinger DigitalisierungsZentrum GDZ, the author statement reads: Aus dem Englischen übersetzt. Mit Anmerkungen und Zusätzen herausgegeben von Johann Gottlieb Buhle Professor der Philosophie zu Göttingen.
A German translation of part of A.
[GBV German Union cat.]

1832/34-1940
(v.1 - v.60)

B Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
According to a record in the Harvard Univ. cat., Proceedings for 1783-1803 were included in "History of the society" which formed part of v. 1-5 of the society's Transactions, i.e. A; after the latter date they were suspended until the present series was begun.
Split into C and D.
[Harvard Univ. cat.] Edinb. Roy. Soc. Proc.
[RSLC, v.1, p.xxx]
Edinburgh, Roy. Soc. Proc.
[RSLC, v.9, p.xvi]
Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb.
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 166 (1876), p.580 cites 1876.]
Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh
[Phil. Trans., Vol. 176 (1885), p.642 cites vol. xi., 1881-82.]
R. So. Edinburgh, Proc.
[Math. Tables Other Aids Comput., Vol. 2, No. 16 (Oct., 1946), p.165 cites v. 8, 1875.] RSLC

1941 - 1967
(Vol.61, pt.1 - v.67, pt.4)

C Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Section A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Continues in part B. Continued by F.
[Harvard Univ. cat.]

1941 - 1966
(Vol.61, pt.1 - v.69, pts.3/4)

D Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Section B: Biology
Continues in part B. Continued by G.
[Harvard Univ. cat.]

1967 - 1979
(v.67, no.1 - v.70, no.13/14)

E Transactions / the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Continues A. Continued by K
[Harvard Univ. cat.]

1968 - 1974
(Vol.68, pt.1 - v.71, pt.4)

F Proceedings. Section A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences / The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Continues C. Continued by H.
[Harvard Univ. cat.]

1967 - 1974
(Vol.70, pt.1 - v.74)

G Proceedings. Section B, Biology / The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Continues D. Continued by I.
[Harvard Univ. cat.]

1974-
(Vol.72, pt.1 - )

H Proceedings. Section A, Mathematics / The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Continues F.
[Harvard Univ. cat.]

1975 - 1976
(Vol.75)

I Proceedings. Section B, Natural Environment / The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Continues G. Continued by J.
[Harvard Univ. cat.]

1978 - 1994
(Vol.76, pts.1/3 - v.104)

J Proceedings. Section B, Biological Sciences / The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Continues I.
[Harvard Univ. cat.]

1980 -
(Vol.71, pt.1 - )

K Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Earth Sciences
Continues E.
[Harvard Univ. cat.]

Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)
Founding of the Society
Year	Authority / Notes
1783	According to Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.2, a Society for the Improvement of Medical Knowledge was founded in 1731, and published five volumes of its *Medical Essays and Observations, which were translated into several languages. Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.2 go on to say that, in 1737, Colin Maclaurin suggested that the scope of the Society be broadened to include literature and philosophy. The Society thus augmented became the Edinburgh Society for improving Arts and Sciences and particularly Natural Knowledge, or, in brief, the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh. After some delay, a first volume of their Essays and Observations, Physical and Literary* appeared in 1754. A second volume appeared in 1756, and a third in 1771. Campbell / Smellie (1983), pp.2-3 indicate that, towards the end of its life, the Society led an uncertain existence, and it was desired that it be replaced by a more permanent and comprehensive society. Late in 1782 a proposal for just such an establishment was drawn up at a meeting of the Professors of the University of Edinburgh, many of whom were also members of the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh. According to Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.4, on 1782, November 30, a petition was submitted to the King for a Royal Society of Edinburgh, and on 1783, March 29, the King granted it. From this date, we must take the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh to be ceased and the Royal Society of Edinburgh to be founded.
Seat of the Society
City	Authority / Notes
Edinburgh Scotland	This location is supported by the name of the Society.
Name of the Society
Dates	Name	Authority
1783, March 29 -	*Royal Society of Edinburgh*	Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.4 gives this start date for this name.
*Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)* Website = http://www.rse.org.uk/

Journals of the Society
Years	Full Journal Title	Abbrev.	Indexed
1788 - 1966 (v.1 - v.66, no.18) A	*Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh* According to the record in the Harvard Univ. cat., the first 4 vols. are each in 3 sections: History of the society, Papers of the Physical class, and Papers of the Literary class; the Literary class ceased to appear after v. 4; the "History", which appeared in v. 1-5, included the proceedings for 1783-1803, after which the publication of proceedings was suspended until Dec. 1832, when the society began to issue an independent series entitled Proceedings; suspended 1804-Dec. 1832. According to Scudder, #124b and #117, this title continues *Essays and Observations, Physical and Literary : read before a society in Edinburgh, and published by them* (published by the Philosophical Society in Edinburgh), Continued by E. [Harvard Univ. cat.; Scudder #124b]	*Edin. Trans.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 104 (1814), p.127 cites 3rd Vol.] *Edinb. Philos. Trans.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 109 (1819), p.163 cites Vol. VIII.] *Edinb. Roy. Soc. Trans.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 164 (1874), p.114 cites xxv. 1869.] *Edinb. Roy. Soc. Trans.* [RSLC, v.1, p.xxx] *Edinb. Soc. Tr.* [Pogg, v.1, col.206 cites Vol. II.] *Edinb. Tr.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 81 (1791), p.49 cites I.] *Edinb. Tr.* [Pogg, v.1, col.43 cites XV. 1842, XVI. 1847, XVI. 1849, XX. 1853; these are articles by Thomas Anderson, which RSLC, v.1, p.64 cites as *Edinb. Trans. Roy. Soc..] Edinb. Trans.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 81 (1791), p.68 cites Vol. I.] *Edinb. Transact.* [Pogg., v.1, col.295 cites an article by David Brewster in VI, 1806; the corresponding entry in RSLC, v.1, p.613 gives the reference as *Edinb. Roy. Soc. Trans., VI., 1812.] Edinb. Transactions* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 94 (1804), p.274 cites Vol. V.] *Edinburgh Philosophical Transactions* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 150 (1860), p.153 cites pp. 529, 530 of an article by David Brewster on atmospheric lines in vol. xii; the corresponding entry in RSLC, v.1, p.618, #144 gives the abbrev. as *Edinb. Roy. Soc. Trans.] Edinburgh, Roy. Soc. Trans.* [RSLC, v.9, p.xvi] *Edinburgh Trans.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 88 (1798), p.378 cites Vol. III.] *Edinburgh Transactions* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 81 (1791), p.48 cites Vol. I.] *Phil. Trans. Edinb.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 150 (1860), p.157 cites p. 522 of an article by David Brewster on atmospheric lines in vol. xii; the corresponding entry in RSLC, v.1, p.618, #144 gives the abbrev. as *Edinb. Roy. Soc. Trans.] Tr. Edinb. Soc.* [Pogg, v.1, col.205 cites Vol. V.] *Trans. Edinb. Soc.* [Pogg, v.1, col.32 cites Vol. VI. VII, VIII, IX, XI.] *Trans. of the R. S. of Edinburgh* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 88 (1798), p.329 cites Vol. III.] *Trans. of the Soc. of Edinburgh* [Osiris, Vol. 8 (1948), p.259 cites T. XIV, 1868.] *Trans. R. S. Edin.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 131 (1841), p.17 cites vol. xiv.] *Trans. R. Soc. Edinburgh* [Phil. Trans., B Vol. 198 (1906), p.408 cites vol. 39 (1900).] *Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 144 (1854), p.354 cites 1849.] *Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 144 (1854), p.124 cites vol. xx.] *Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 164 (1874), p.504 cites vol. xii.] *Transact. Edinb. Soc.* [Pogg, v.1, col.42.] *Transact. of the Soc. of Edinb.* [Reuss, v.1, p.38 cites Vol.2.] *Transact. of the Soc. of Edinburgh* [Reuss, v.4, p.15 cites Vol. I and Vol. 8.] *Transactions Roy. Soc. of Edinburgh* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 173 (1882), p.347 cites vol. viii.] *T.R.S. Edinburgh* [Geographical Journal, Vol. 4, No. 1 (Jul., 1894), p.88 cites 37 (1893).]	*Pogg* *Reuss* *RSLC*
1789[?] [i.e. pub. 1789] (1.) Aa	*Philosophische und historische Abhandlungen der Königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaft zu Edinburgh* [*Full-text* of 1.1789 is available at Göttinger DigitalisierungsZentrum GDZ.] According to the full-text at the Göttinger DigitalisierungsZentrum GDZ, the author statement reads: *Aus dem Englischen übersetzt. Mit Anmerkungen und Zusätzen herausgegeben von Johann Gottlieb Buhle Professor der Philosophie zu Göttingen.* A German translation of part of A. [GBV German Union cat.]
1832/34-1940 (v.1 - v.60) B	*Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh* According to a record in the Harvard Univ. cat., Proceedings for 1783-1803 were included in "History of the society" which formed part of v. 1-5 of the society's Transactions, i.e. A; after the latter date they were suspended until the present series was begun. Split into C and D. [Harvard Univ. cat.]	*Edinb. Roy. Soc. Proc.* [RSLC, v.1, p.xxx] *Edinburgh, Roy. Soc. Proc.* [RSLC, v.9, p.xvi] *Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb.* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 166 (1876), p.580 cites 1876.] *Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh* [Phil. Trans., Vol. 176 (1885), p.642 cites vol. xi., 1881-82.] *R. So. Edinburgh, Proc.* [Math. Tables Other Aids Comput., Vol. 2, No. 16 (Oct., 1946), p.165 cites v. 8, 1875.]	*RSLC*
1941 - 1967 (Vol.61, pt.1 - v.67, pt.4) C	*Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Section A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences* Continues in part B. Continued by F. [Harvard Univ. cat.]
1941 - 1966 (Vol.61, pt.1 - v.69, pts.3/4) D	*Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Section B: Biology* Continues in part B. Continued by G. [Harvard Univ. cat.]
1967 - 1979 (v.67, no.1 - v.70, no.13/14) E	*Transactions / the Royal Society of Edinburgh* Continues A. Continued by K [Harvard Univ. cat.]
1968 - 1974 (Vol.68, pt.1 - v.71, pt.4) F	*Proceedings. Section A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences / The Royal Society of Edinburgh.* Continues C. Continued by H. [Harvard Univ. cat.]
1967 - 1974 (Vol.70, pt.1 - v.74) G	*Proceedings. Section B, Biology / The Royal Society of Edinburgh* Continues D. Continued by I. [Harvard Univ. cat.]
1974- (Vol.72, pt.1 - ) H	*Proceedings. Section A, Mathematics / The Royal Society of Edinburgh* Continues F. [Harvard Univ. cat.]
1975 - 1976 (Vol.75) I	*Proceedings. Section B, Natural Environment / The Royal Society of Edinburgh* Continues G. Continued by J. [Harvard Univ. cat.]
1978 - 1994 (Vol.76, pts.1/3 - v.104) J	*Proceedings. Section B, Biological Sciences / The Royal Society of Edinburgh* Continues I. [Harvard Univ. cat.]
1980 - (Vol.71, pt.1 - ) K	*Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Earth Sciences* Continues E. [Harvard Univ. cat.]