| Reference number | NLB/11/621 |
| Alternative reference number | NLB/11 p306a |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from Michael Foster, to the Marquess of Salisbury, Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs |
| Date | 15 August 1895 |
| Description | Foster is directed on behalf of the Royal Society to address his Lordship with a view of obtaining the assistance of Her Majesty's Government in a matter of international interest; an adequate catalogue or index of scientific publications. Discusses the Royal Society's 'Catalogue of Scientific Papers' and notes that an adequate, prompt and complete catalogue arranged not only according to authors names but also according to subject can not be carried out by a single body and can only be successfully achieved by international co-operation.
The Society has entered into correspondence with nearly all the important scientific institutions in the world as well as with a number of eminent scientific persons with a view of obtaining expression of opinion as the desirability of attempting such a catalogue. The replies have been favourable and the first step suggested by several persons is the summoning of a conference at which such a plan can be discussed and London is suggested as a location. The President and Council request that his Lordship as Minister of Foreign Affairs will direct communications to be made to the respective governments of the 21 nations listed, inviting them to send representatives to such a conference. Suggests the first half of July 1896 as a suitable date.
The papers and works entered in such a catalogue should concern applied and pure science only. The President and Council are addressing a similar letter to the Colonial and India office with a view to obtaining representatives from the Colonies and India. |
| Extent | 1p |
| Format | Carbon |
| Access status | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA8220 | Foster; Sir; Michael (1836 - 1907); physiologist | 1836 - 1907 |