About the library

The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of the world's most eminent scientists. Founded in 1660, the Society is the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.

The Society has played a part in some of the most fundamental, significant and life-changing discoveries in scientific history, and Royal Society scientists continue to make outstanding contributions to science in many research areas. The priorities of the Society are to promote excellence in science, to support international collaboration and to demonstrate the importance of science to everyone.

The Royal Society Library contains nearly 80,000 titles published from the 1470s to the present day. The main strength of the collections is in the 17th and 18th centuries: from its foundation to the mid 19th century the policy of the Library was to acquire every important scientific publication. The Library also holds significant scientific archives, and a collection of images which includes photographs, engravings and paintings of past and present scientists.

The local library catalogue is available online.

The Royal Society also contributes to the Archives Hub. To browse descriptions of their archive materials, visit their Archives Hub information page.

British Library inter-library loan codes

Library code

LO/T41

Policy code

G4

For an explanation of these codes, and for more information on arranging inter-library loans, see the inter-library loans page on the British Library website.

Accessing materials

Can I see live document availability on Library Hub Discover? No.

Can I obtain items via inter-library loan? Yes - subject to the library's local lending policy. See their website for details. You must request an inter-library loan via a library of which you are a member. Talk to your own library staff for advice on ordering an item.

Can I visit the library to view materials? Yes - see the library's website for access details. If you wish to visit it is advisable to contact the library in advance, to ensure that they can accommodate you and that the material you need will be available.

Location

Browse all of the Royal Society's records in Library Hub Discover here.