Adelaide Philosophical Society

The Royal Society of South Australia (RSSA) is a Learned Society whose interest is in Science, particularly, but not only, of South Australia. The major aim of the Society is the promotion and diffusion of scientific knowledge, particularly in relation to Natural Sciences.

The Society stems directly from the Adelaide Philosophical Society founded on 10 January 1853. The title "Royal" was granted by her Majesty Queen Victoria in 1880 and the Society became known by its present designation. It was incorporated in 1883.

The Society had its origins in a meeting at the Stephens Place home of J. L. Young (founder of the Adelaide Educational Institution) on the evening of 10 January 1853. Members inducted were Messrs. John Brown, John Howard Clark, Davy, Doswell, Charles Gregory Feinaigle, Gilbert, Gosse, Hamilton, Hammond, W. B. Hays, Jones, Kay, Mann, W. W. Whitridge, Williams, Wooldridge and John Lorenzo Young. J. Howard Clark was elected secretary. On 15 September rules were adopted and His Excellency the Governor Sir Henry Young was elected president. At the time of its first Annual General Meeting membership had risen to 35.T. D. Smeaton has also been credited with helping found the Society.

It became the Royal Society of South Australia late in 1880, to follow the terminology adopted by the other Australian colonies, and perhaps hoping to emulate their success.

There are five classes of members:

The society awards:

Royal Society of South Australia Presidents:

The medal is named in honour of Joseph Verco. The first award of the medal was to Prof Walter Howchin in 1929.

Previous winners include:

Notable members of the Royal Society of South Australia have included:

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