Swain Library News

Swain’s new book list for October is now available:
Swain Library monthly new book list

Royal Society Digital Archive

The Royal Society Digital Archive is easily the most comprehensive archive in science and contains some of the most significant scientific papers ever published. The development of the digital archive means that the Society’s online collection now contains every paper ever published in the Royal Society’s journals — from the very first peer-reviewed paper in Philosophical Transactions — to the most recent interdisciplinary article in Interface.

Seminal research papers include accounts of Michael Faraday’s groundbreaking series of electrical experiments, Isaac Newton’s invention of the reflecting telescope and the first research paper published by Stephen Hawking. The Archive provides a record of some key scientific discoveries from the last 340 years including: Halley’s description of ‘his comet’ in 1705; details of the double Helix of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1954; and Edmond Stone’s breakthrough in 1763 that willow bark cured fevers, leading to the discovery of salicylic acid and later the development of aspirin. It also contains papers documenting the discovery of new planets, the first descriptions of organisms through a microscope, and the first account of photography. Early papers contain fascinating descriptions of how Captain James Cook preserved the health of his crew aboard the HMS Endeavour and the astonishment of 18th century Society at the performance of an eight year-old Mozart.

Some of the more obscure papers explore rudimentary prototypes of modern day technology: trials proposed by Robert Boyle in 1665 hypothesize on the possibilities of blood transfusions, pondering ‘whether a fierce dog stocked with the blood of a cowardly dog may not become more tame?’, whilst a forerunner for ventilators was discussed in a paper by Robert Hooke in 1667 entitled ‘An account of an experiment made by Mr Hook (sic), of preserving animals alive by blowing through their lungs with bellows.’

The complete Digital Archive consists of three sections: Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Notes & Records. Below are individual journals available in each section.

The Physical Sciences Digital Journal Archive

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical & Engineering Sciences and all previous forms:

• Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society Series A: Physical & Engineering Sciences (1990–1995)
• Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series A, Mathematical & Physical Sciences (1934–1990)
• Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series A, Containing Papers of a Mathematical or Physical Character (1896–1934)
• Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London A (1887–1895)
• Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1776–1886)
• Philosophical Transactions (1665–1775)

and

Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical & Engineering Sciences and all previous forms:

• Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series A: Mathematical & Physical Sciences (1990–1995)
• Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series A, Mathematical & Physical Sciences (1934–1990)
• Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series A, Containing Papers of a Mathematical and Physical Character (1905–1934)
• Proceedings of the Royal Society of London (1854–1905)
• Abstracts of the Papers Communicated to the Royal Society of London (1843–1854)
• Abstracts of the Papers Printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1800–1843)

The Biological Sciences Digital Journal Archive

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences and all previous forms:

• Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B, Biological Sciences (1934–1990)
• Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series B, Containing Papers of a Biological Character (1896–1934)
• Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B (1887–1895)
• Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1776–1886)
• Philosophical Transactions (1665–1775)

and

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences and all previous forms:

• Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B, Biological Sciences (1934–1990)
• Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B, Containing Papers of a Biological Character (1905–1934)
• Proceedings of the Royal Society of London (1854–1905)
• Abstracts of the Papers Communicated to the Royal Society of London (1843–1854)
• Abstracts of the Papers Printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1800–1843)

The Notes and Records Digital Journal Archive

Notes & Records is the Royal Society’s journal on the history of science published since 1938. Each issue highlights fascinating examples of science shaping our lives, revealing reminiscences and discoveries, and authoritative book reviews. Notes & Records is a visible part of the Royal Society’s commitment to the history of science. Published in January, May and September each year, it is required reading for historians, researchers and anyone interested in science and its path through history.

The Biographical Memoirs Digital Archive

The Royal Society first published obituaries of its Fellows in 1830, in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Initially obituaries were read at the Anniversary meeting, often by the President himself, and were printed in the record of that meeting. From 1859 they appeared in a separate section at the back. Articles were anonymous until the 1880s. The first image to accompany an obituary was that of Franz Cornelius Donders. Their usage grew significantly from the 1920s. In 1905, Proceedings split into two disciplines, Series A and B. Occasionally a subject had an obituary in both series. From 1932 obituaries of nearly every deceased Fellow and Foreign Member have appeared here.