Abstract
SIR WILLIAM BRAGIG'S presidential address to the Royal Society, delivered at the anniversary meeting on November 30, did not include the customary survey of a branch of science with which the president himself is particularly familiar, and it can well be understood that such a survey at the present time might have been impolitic, as well as occupying time of the president which is fully occupied in other directions. But Sir William did give an impression of the increasing part which science is taking in promoting the national welfare (see p. 731 of this issue). After a brief reference to the men of science-pioneers of modern developments—who have died during the past year, he paid a glowing tribute to the younger men who have followed in their steps, maintaining worthily the tradition they have received by the acquisition of new knowledge, and in addition, grappling with its relation to society and to government. This newer aspect of scientific activity has been reflected also in the Royal Society. Whereas formerly many fellows of the Society have given their services to Government departments as required, and will no doubt do so in the future also, men of science now have, in the Hankey Committee, appointed a short while ago, a small body of leaders in direct touch with the Cabinet. The Society is represented on the Committee by its president and two principal secretaries, and has thereby accepted the responsibility of seeing that scientific developments and science itself are brought into the counsels of the nation; and Sir William continued, “We hope that no hindrances from without may interfere with the Society's task, and we are determined that there shall be no lack of energy from within.”
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Science and the National Welfare. Nature 146, 741–742 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/146741c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/146741c0