Person Digby; Sir; Kenelm (1603 - 1665); natural philosopher and courtier Digby Kenelm Sir natural philosopher and courtier Kenelme 1603 - 1665 British Male Gayhurst, Buckinghamshire, England, Europe 11 July 1603 16030711 Covent Garden, London, England, Europe 11 June 1665 16650611 Burial: Christ Church, Newgate Street, London, England, Europe

Seton, Rutland; Gayhurst, Buckinghamshire; Charterhouse Yard, Clerkenwell (c. 1630s); Aldwych Close, Holborn (before 1642); Covent Garden, London (1664-1665)

Author; Diplomat; Seaman Natural philosophy Chemistry Education: Gloucester Hall, Oxford (1618); Gray's Inn (1619); Peterhouse, Cambridge; MA (on the King's visit 1624) Career: Sailed to Spain with his relative, Sir John Digby (1617-1618); travelled in France, Italy and Spain (1620-1623); gave three addresses to the 'Accademia dei Filomati' in Siena; became gentleman of the privy chamber to Prince Charles (1623); commissioner of the 'Eage' and the 'George and Elizabeth'; appointed Junior Principal Officer of the Navy (1630); studied chemistry and became involved in alchemy (1633-1635); arrested by Parliament (7 August 1642; 12 November 1642-30 Julu 1643); wrote his treatises 'Two treatises, in the one of which the nature of bodies, in the other the nature of man's soul is looked into: in way of discovery of the immortality of reasonable souls' (1642-1643); banished to France (1643-1654); permitted to return to England (January 1654) and received a pension; published translation of 'Of Adhering to God' (1654); confidant and ambassador of Cromwell (1655-1658); Chancellor to Queen Henrietta Honours: Kt 28 October 1623 Parents: Sir Everard Digby (c.1578-1606) and Mary Mulsho of Gayhurst, Buckinghamshire Siblings: Sir John Digby (1605-1645) Married: Venetia Stanley of Tonge Castle, Shropshire Children: Kenelm Digby (1625-1648), John Digby, George Digby (d.1648) Digby converted to and reconverted from Anglicanism during his life time and was unsuccessful in petitioning the goverment to rescind the penal laws against Roman Catholics and for toleration for Catholics. His father was executed for his involvement in the Gunpowder Plot when Digby was three years old. His work and experimentation on animal embryos upheld Aristotelian ideas on epigenesis and there is an idea amongst medical historians that Digby can be called 'the father of modern embryology' and is 'ranked highly' amongst 17th century biologists. His work consolidated his reputation as a natural philosopher. Royal Society roles: Sworn in 3 June 1663. Committee and panels: Chemistry Committee Original Fellow 22/04/1663 Presented findings on plants and animals (1661). Brought in stones, called octulus mundi (1661) Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; DSB; Venn References: Jacqueline A Stedall, 'Catching Proteus: the collaborations of Wallis and Brouncker. II. Number problems' in NR 2000 vol 54 pp 317-331 Peter Brimblecombe, 'Interest in Air Pollution Among Early Fellows of the Royal Society' in NR 1977-8 vol 32 pp 123-129 John F Fulton, 'Sir Kenelm Digby, FRS (1603-1665)' in NR 1960 vol 15 pp 199-210, plate G H Turnbull, 'Samuel Hartlib's Influence on the Early History of the Royal Society' in NR 1953 vol 10 pp 101-130 H W Robinson, 'Gleanings from the Library - I. A Note on the Early Minutes' in NR 1938 vol 1 pp 92-95 J Gribbin, 'The Fellowship', 2005, pp174-180 Notes: The election date is Digby's re-election date into the Society after the grant of the second charter in April 1663. All Fellows admitted in a two-month window after this charter, until 22 June 1663, are considered Original Fellows. He was previously elected on 12 December 1660. Aubrey (quoting Jonson) gives his date of birth as 11 June Digby K, IM006015.jpg ©The Royal Society International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 RCN: 36943 RCN: 36946 RCN: 22891 RCN: 52884 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH2365 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-19500 11 Jul 1603 - 11 Jun 1665 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 25/10/2021 as part of Name Authority Project update. NA8202 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 05/06/2025 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/49357645 cf6f806d-c01e-4d02-b45f-80eb6240f65b