Philosophical Society of Edinburgh

Founding of the Society
Year	Authority / Notes
1731 - 1783	According to Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.2, this Society was founded in 1731 as the Society for the Improvement of Medical Knowledge, and published five volumes of its Medical Essays and Observations, which were translated into several languages. Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.2 go on to say that, in 1737, Colin Maclaurin suggested that the scope of the Society be broadened to include literature and philosophy. The Society thus augmented became the Edinburgh Society for improving Arts and Sciences and particularly Natural Knowledge, or, in brief, the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh. After some delay, a first volume of their Essays and Observations, Physical and Literary appeared in 1754. A second volume appeared in 1756, and a third in 1771. Campbell / Smellie (1983), pp.2-3 indicate that, towards the end of its life, the Society led an uncertain existence, and it was desired that it be replaced by a more permanent and comprehensive society. Late in 1782 a proposal for just such an establishment was drawn up at a meeting of the Professors of the University of Edinburgh, many of whom were also members of the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh. According to Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.4, on 1782, November 30, a petition was submitted to the King for a Royal Society of Edinburgh, and on 1783, March 29, the King granted it. From this date, we must take the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh to be ceased and the Royal Society of Edinburgh to be founded.
Seat of the Society
City	Authority / Notes
Edinburgh Scotland	This location is supported by the name of the Society.
Name of the Society
Dates	Name	Authority
1731 - 1737	Society for the Improvement of Medical Knowledge	Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.2 gives the start and end dates for this name.
1737 - 1783, March 29	Edinburgh Society for improving Arts and Sciences and particularly Natural Knowledge = Philosophical Society of Edinburgh	Campbell / Smellie (1983), p.2 gives the start date for this name; p.4 gives the end date.

Journals of the Society
Years	Full Journal Title	Abbrev.
1733 - 1744 (v.1 - v.5, pt.2)   A	Medical Essays and Observations / revised and published by a society in Edinburgh According to records in the Edinburgh Univ. cat., this title was published in several later editions: 2nd ed. rev. (1737-1738); 3rd ed. rev. & enlarged (1747); 4th ed. rev. & enlarged (1752); 5th ed. (1771). Indexed Reuss [Edinburgh Univ. cat.]	Edinb. Med. Ess. [Phil. Trans., Vol. 91 (1801), p.34 cites Vol. IV.] Edinb. Med. Essays [Phil. Trans., Vol. 91 (1801), p.24 cites Vol. IV.] Med. Essays [Phil. Trans., Vol. 43 (1744), p.419 cites Vol. V.] Med. Essays and Observ. by a Soc. in Edinburgh [Reuss, v.4, p.187 cites Vol. 5, P. I.] Med. Essays and Observat. by a Soc. in Edinburgh [Reuss, v.4, p.187 cites Vol. I; v.10, p.3 cites Vol. I; v.3, p.58 cites Vol. 5, Part I.]
1740 - 1747 (I-VII)   Aa	Essais et Observations de Médecine de la Société d'Édimbourg, ouvrage... augmenté par le traducteur d'observations concernant l'histoire naturelle et les maladies des yeux... French translation of parts of A. One record in the Bibliot. Nat. France cat. indicates that this translation was done by Pierre Demours. Another record in the Bibliot. Nat. France cat. indicates that this publication was continued in part by Observations et recherches médicales par une Société de médecins de Londres [see Society of Physicians in London ]. [Bibliot. Nat. France cat.]
1749 - 1762   Ab	Die medicinischen Versuche und Bemerkungen, welche von einer Gesellschaft in Edinburgh durchgesehen und herausgegeben werden / [Übers. von Gg. Heinr. Königsdörfer] German translation of parts of A. Continued by Ac. [GBV German Union cat.]
1756 - 1775 (Band 1-3)   Ac	Neue Versuche und Bemerkungen aus der Arztneykunst und übrigen Gelehrsamkeit einer Gesellschaft zu Edinburg vorgelesen u. von ihr herzugegeben : Als eine Fortsetzung der medicinischen Versuche u. Bemerkungen ; Aus dem Englischen übersetzt / (von Abr. Gotth. Kästner) Some catalogue records in the GBV German Union cat. suggest that this is a German translation of parts of A, but some catalogue records in the GBV German Union cat. suggest that it is a German translation of parts of B. Continues Ab. [GBV German Union cat.]
1754 - 1771 (Vol.1 - 3)   B	Essays and Observations, Physical and Literary : read before a society in Edinburgh, and published by them. According to a record in the Edinburgh Univ. cat., Vol. 3 differs in title and imprint: Essays ... read before the Philosophical Society in Edinburgh, and published by them. According to a record in the Harvard Univ. cat., a 2nd ed. was published in 1771. Indexed Reuss & Pogg. [Edinburgh Univ. cat.; Harvard Univ. cat.]	Edinb. Physical and Literary Essays [Pogg, v.1, col.206 cites 1755.] Edinburgh Literary Essays [Phil. Trans., Vol. 86 (1796), p.253 cites Vol. II.] Essays and Observat. Phys. and Litt. [Reuss, v.3, p.74 cites Vol. I.] Essays and Observat. Phys. and Litter. [Reuss, v.4, p.9 cites Vol. I.] Essays and Observat. Phys. and Litterar. [Reuss, v.10, p.89 cites Vol. I.] Essays and Observat. Phys. and Litterary [Reuss, v.4, p.29 cites Vol. 2.] Essays and Observat. Physical and Litterar. [Reuss, v.4, p.187 cites Vol. 3.] Essays and Observat. Physical and Litterary [Reuss, v.4, p.84 cites Vol.3.] Essays Physical and Literary of Edinburgh [Phil. Trans., Vol. 50 (1757), p.600 cites Vol. I.] Physical Essays, Edinburgh [Phil. Trans., Vol. 55 (1765), p.31 cites 1754, vol. i.]
1759 (Tome Ier)   Ba	Essais et Observations Physiques et Littéraires de la Société d'Édimbourg... French translation of parts of B. Translated by Pierre Demours. [Bibliot. Nat. France cat.]