| AdminHistory | The Society for Promoting Natural History (SPNH) was founded by William Forsyth, George Prince, John Prince, Captain Francis Robson and Charles Harris in October 1782.
It was intended to examine and discuss matters relating to all branches of natural history and was essentially the precursor to the Linnean Society. After the Linnean Society was formed there was an attempt to unify the Linnean Society and the SPNH in 1791, but it was rejected on the grounds that a union would not benefit either society. Notable members of the SPNH included James Edward Smith, Samuel Goodenough, Viscount Lewisham, and Thomas Martyn.
Gradually attendance at the SPNH diminished and a final meeting was held on 30 May 1822 where it was decided that the funds, books, collections and the presidential gavel would be transferred to the Linnean Society. |
| Description | Records relating to the Society for Promoting Natural History (SPNH) including rules and orders, laws, minutes, members' subscriptions, accounts, calendar of meetings, scientific papers, newspaper cuttings, miscellaneous documents and letters, and botanical specimens. |