Portraits of members of the Lunar Society

This material is held atUniversity of Birmingham, Cadbury Research Library, Special Collections

Scope and Content

Photographs of portraits of members of the Lunar Society of Birmingham including also a photograph of an engraving of 18th century Birmingham and one of Soho House in 1798. The images are all mounted and were possibly used in an exhibition. The portraits include: William Withering, John Whitehurst, Josiah Wedgwood, James Watt, Dr William Small, Joseph Priestley, James Keir, Samuel Galton, Richard Lovell Edgeworth, Thomas Day, Erasmus Darwin and Mathew Boulton.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Lunar Society began in 1765 as an informal dining club whose members included the most prominent scientists, engineers and industrialists in the Birmingham area. They met every month, often at Soho House, the home of Mathew Boulton. By 1813 most of the original members had died and the society closed.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org (accessed 20 May 2008)

Access Information

Open. Access to all registered researchers.

Other Finding Aids

Please see full catalogue for more information.

Custodial History

Former location: MSS 9/v/10