Founding of the Royal Society

Timeline

1. 1660Gresham College, London · EnglandOn 28 November 1660, about twelve natural philosophers including Christopher Wren, after hearing Wren's lecture at Gresham College, resolved to establish a society to promote natural knowledge through experiments. Founders included Robert Boyle, John Wilkins, and Robert Hooke; the society initially drew its spiritual origins from the 'Invisible College' tradition.
2. 1662London · EnglandOn 15 July 1662, King Charles II formally issued the first royal charter, granting the society the name 'Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge' and corporate status, and issued a second charter the same year further consolidating its statutes. The society thereafter adopted the Latin motto 'Nullius in verba' (take nobody's word for it), upholding the principle of experimental verification.