Christ’s hospital and the Royal Society

Abstract

The Religious, Royal, and Ancient Foundation o f Christ’s Hospital is one of nine Public Schools to which the Royal Society has the privilege of nominating a member o f the governing body. Founded in 1552 by Edward VI, ‘ the boy Patron of boys,’ Christ’s Hospital came into possession of part o f the Grey Friars buildings given to the city by Henry VIII for the relief of the poor : to these buildings many additions were made in the seventeenth century and later. In the latter part o f the seventeenth century and in the eighteenth century the Royal Society and the Hospital were closely associated : Samuel Pepys had a large share in the establishment within Christ’s Hospital o f the Mathematical School founded by Charles II. A medal was struck to commemorate the new Royal Foundation, in design almost identical with the silver badge that is still worn on the left shoulder of each of the forty boys on the foundation, all of whom are sons o f commissioned officers in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, or the Royal Naval Reserve. Dies for the medal were presented to the Hospital by Sir Isaac Newton, who was Warden and afterwards Master of the Mint. The Royal Society and Christ’s Hospital both have the honour of having as Patron His Majesty the King.