Birmingham Philosophical Institution

The Birmingham Philosophical Institution was a society established in Birmingham, England for the exchange of scientific knowledge.

Birmingham Philosophical Institution
Formation1800 (1800)
TypeLearned society
HeadquartersBirmingham
Location
  • United Kingdom
Official language
English

The Institution was established in either 1800 or 1803 (sources are uncertain) in cramped premises in Cannon Street, Birmingham and owed its early existence to the generosity of George Barker, a scientifically minded local philanthropist. Lectures were given on a wide range of subjects.

One of the Institution's early successes was to bring about the foundation of the Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb following one of their lectures. Another was their sponsorship of the development of the first successful self-recording pressure-plate anemometer and rain-gauge by A. Follett Osler, a local glass manufacturer, which revolutionised the keeping of meteorological records. The original instrument was first put to use at the Institution's own premises and quickly replicated at several other sites, including Greenwich Observatory.[1]

The Institution was finally wound up in 1852 and its place taken in 1854 by the Birmingham and Midland Institute.

Notable members

Some notable members were:[2]

References
  1. Blakiston, Peyton (1837). A Lecture on the Diffusion of Scientific Knowledge in Large Towns: delivered to the members of Birmingham Philosophical Institute, 1837.
  2. Inkster, Ian. History of Technology, Volume 31. p. 125.
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