Abstract
IT is of interest to recall that the date November 23 marks the 260th anniversary of the publication in 1664 of that rare and notable folio by Robert Hooke, entitled “Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses, with Observations and Inquiries thereupon.” The issue was licensed by Viscount Brouncker, P.R.S. Hooke, who was born in 1635, at Freshwater, Isle of Wight, died in 1703. He was associated in intimate fashion with the early founders of the Royal Society-Moray, Wren, Boyle, Evelyn, and others-and worked with amazing industry to promote its aims. The lineaments of this remarkable man have not been bequeathed to posterity, since no authentic portrait of him exists. Sir Robert Moray had originally suggested Hooke, in 1662, as a curator of experiments to the Royal Society, putting it that “Mr. Hooke should come and sit amongst them” but it was not until November 23, 1664, that the president was desired to declare to the whole Society that the council thought good to have a curator by office, and Dr. Wilkins was deputed to submit that “Mr. Hooke standing for a curator's place be this afternoon nominated.” Robert Boyle was thanked for dispensing with his services, in favour of the Society.
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Current Topics and Events. Nature 114, 795–798 (1924). https://doi.org/10.1038/114795a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/114795a0