President of the Royal Society

In 1662 William Brouncker 2nd Viscount Brounckner (age 42) was appointed President of the Royal Society.

Evelyn's Diary. 21 Aug 1662. I was admitted and then sworn one of the Council of the Royal Society, being nominated in his Majesty's (age 32) original grant to be of this Council for the regulation of the Society, and making laws and statutes conducible to its establishment and progress, for which we now set apart every Wednesday morning till they were all finished. Lord Viscount Brouncker (age 51) (that excellent mathematician) was also by his Majesty (age 32), our founder, nominated our first President. The King (age 32) gave us the arms of England to be borne in a canton in our arms, and sent us a mace of silver gilt, of the same fashion and size as those carried before his Majesty (age 32), to be borne before our president on meeting days. It was brought by Sir Gilbert Talbot (age 56), master of his Majesty's jewel house.

Evelyn's Diary. 29 Aug 1662. The Council and Fellows of the Royal Society went in a body to Whitehall [Map], to acknowledge his Majesty's (age 32) royal grace in granting our Charter, and vouchsafing to be himself our founder; when the President made an eloquent speech, to which his Majesty (age 32) gave a gracious reply and we all kissed his hand. Next day we went in like manner with our address to my Lord Chancellor (age 53), who had much promoted our patent: he received us with extraordinary favor. In the evening I went to the Queen-Mother's (age 52) Court, and had much discourse with her.

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Mar 1664. Came to dine with me the Earl of Lauderdale (age 47), his Majesty's (age 33) great favorite, and Secretary of Scotland; the Earl of Teviot (age 38); my Lord Viscount Brouncker (age 53), President of the Royal Society; Dr. Wilkins (age 50), Dean of Ripon; Sir Robert Murray (age 56), and Mr. Hooke (age 28), Curator to the Society.

In 1677 Joseph Williamson (age 43) was appointed President of the Royal Society.

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Nov 1677. Sir Joseph Williamson (age 44), Principal Secretary of State, was chosen President of the Royal Society, after my Lord Viscount Brouncker (age 57) had possessed the chair now sixteen years successively, and therefore now thought fit to CHANGE, that prescription might not prejudice.

Evelyn's Diary. 04 Dec 1677. Being the first day of his (age 44) taking the chair, he gave us a magnificent supper.

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Nov 1680. The anniversary election at the Royal Society brought me to London, where was chosen President that excellent person and great philosopher, Mr. Robert Boyle (age 53), who indeed ought to have been the very first; but neither his infirmity nor his modesty could now any longer excuse him. I desired I might for this year be left out of the Council, by reason my dwelling was in the country. The Society according to custom dined together.

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Nov 1681. Sir Christopher Wren (age 58) chosen President [of the Royal Society], Mr. Austine, Secretary, with Dr. Plot, the ingenious author of the "History of Oxfordshire". There was a most illustrious appearance.

In 1682 John Hoskyns 2nd Baronet (age 47) was elected President of the Royal Society.

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Nov 1683. At the anniversary dinner of the Royal Society the King (age 53) sent us two does. Sir Cyril Wych (age 51) was elected President.

On 30 Nov 1683 Cyril Wyche (age 51) was elected President of the Royal Society.

In 1686 John Vaughan 3rd Earl Carbery (age 46) was appointed President of the Royal Society.

In 1689 Thomas Herbert 8th Earl Pembroke 5th Earl Montgomery (age 33) was appointed President of the Royal Society.

Evelyn's Diary. 01 Dec 1690. Having been chosen President of the Royal Society, I desired to decline it, and with great difficulty devolved the election on Sir Robert Southwell (age 54), Secretary of State to King William in Ireland.

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Nov 1693. Much importuned to take the office of President of the Royal Society, but I again declined it. Sir Robert Southwell (age 57) was continued. We all dined at Pontac's as usual.

In 1698 John Somers 1st Baron Somers (age 46) was elected President of the Royal Society.

Evelyn's Diary. 07 Dec 1698. Being one of the Council of the Royal Society, I was named to be of the committee to wait on our new President (age 47), the Lord Chancellor, our Secretary, Dr. Sloane, and Sir R. Southwell (age 62), last Vice-President, carrying our book of statutes; the office of the President being read, his Lordship (age 47) subscribed his name, and took the oaths according to our statutes as a Corporation for the improvement of natural knowledge. Then his Lordship (age 47) made a short compliment concerning the honor the Society had done him, and how ready he would be to promote so noble a design, and come himself among us, as often as the attendance on the public would permit; and so we took our leave.

Evelyn's Diary. 30 Nov 1700. At the Royal Society, Lord Somers (age 49), the late Chancellor, was continued President.

In 1705 Isaac Newton (age 62) served as President of the Royal Society. He served until 1727.

In 1768 James West (age 64) was elected President of the Royal Society.

On 30 Nov 1778 Joseph Banks 1st Baronet (age 35) was elected President of the Royal Society which position he held for forty-one years.

In 1830 Prince Augustus Frederick Hanover 1st Duke Sussex (age 56) was elected President of the Royal Society.

1837. Thomas Phillips (age 66). Portrait of Prince Augustus Frederick Hanover 1st Duke Sussex (age 63) sat in the chair of the President of the Royal Society.

In 1847 John Dalton Hooker (age 29) was elected President of the Royal Society.

On 30 Nov 1861 Edward Sabine (age 73) was elected President of the Royal Society which office he held until 30 Nov 1871.