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Addendum
to Letter to the Editor, Electronics
World, February
2004, p46 by Ivor Catt Why
should Huxley have to be a master of his subject? |
Andrew Huxley,
past President of the Royal Society |
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Who will rule the Royal Society? Daily Telegraph, 11aug04. The ‘election’ of President of the ancient scientific institution compares with the selection of a new pope in its Byzantine procedures – and the influence of the successful candidate. Roger Highfield reports. A battle for the
most prestigious post in the scientific establishment is about to begin. Like
the selection of a monarch, a prime minister or a pope, the election of the
next president of the Royal Society will be marked by intrigue, politics and
backstabbing. When a conclave
of cardinals elects a pope, the event is marked by a puff of white smoke. The
news that a successor has been found to Lord May, the present incumbent, will
be less dramatic but visible to anyone on the planet with internet access,
being marked by a terse announcement on the website of the world’s oldest
scientific academy. Interest will be
intense. Since the first president – Viscount Brouncker – was elected in 1662
the post has been occupied by many historic figures, such as Christopher Wren
(1680-1682), Samuel Pepys (1684-86), Isaac Newton (1703-1727), Humphrey Davy
(1820-1827) and Ernest Rutherford (1925-1930). But the post is more than
ceremonial, having serious political clout. From the
society’s swanky offices near Trafalgar Square, the president is in effect
the head of Britain’s scientific community. He (highly likely, given that the
society is dominated by Y chromosomes) will be consulted about candidates for
Nobel prizes or other prestigious scientific awards. Past presidents have
often been appointed to the Order of Merit and handed peerages. When he chairs
meetings of the council, everybody stands as the ceremonial silver mace (a
richly gilt gift of Charles II) is processed in and laid down in front of the
president. His main
ceremonial job will be to admit new fellows to this most elite club with a
shake of the hand and the declaration “I do by the authority, and in the name
of the Royal Society of London for improved natural knowledge, admit you a
Fellow thereof.” Though unpaid,
the job has many perks: an apartment that overlooks St James’s Park; the
occasional invitation to have eggs and bacon with the Chancellor of the
Exchequer; and endless opportunities to sit through formal dinners, awards
and ceremonies. …. The ballot would
meet with the approval of Saddam Hussein. The fellows are presented with a
single name and a single box to tick. It is the presidential candidate or no
one. …. |
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