Person Folkes; Martin (1690 - 1754); antiquary and natural philosopher Folkes Martin antiquary and natural philosopher 1690 - 1754 English Male Westminster, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe 29 October 1690 16901029 Ormond Street, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe 28 June 1754 17540628 Burial: The chancel, Hillington Church, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Southampton Street, Covent Garden (1718); Ormond Street, London, (-1754)

Astronomy Antiquarianism Numismatics Education: Clare College, Cambridge (matriculated 1709); MA (Com. Reg. 1717); Saumur; Oxford DCL (1746); Incorporated at Cambridge (1747) Career: Travelled to Italy with his family (1733-1735) and to Paris (1739); publication of 'Table of English Gold Coins' at his own expense (1745); 'Table of Silver Coins from the Conquest' published by the Society of Antiquaries (1745). The 'Tables' were much consulted by antiquaries. Memberships: Fellow of the Society for Antiquaries (1720, President 1750-1754); Spalding Society; Acadmie Royale des Sciences, Paris (Foreign Fellow, 1742) Parents: Martin Folkes and Dorothy Hovell Siblings: William Folkes (FRS 1727) Married: Lucretia Bradshaw (fl.1714-1741), actress Children: Dorothy Folkes (1718-); Lucretia Betenson nee Folkes (1721-1758); Martin Folkes (1720-1740) During his travels Folkes developed an interest in antiquities and published works on the topic as well as building up a private collection. His communications with the Society of Antiquarians were on Roman antiquities and coins. He was also a member of the Egyptian Society, which was active in London between 1741 and 1743. Folkes was a prominent Freemason appointed Deputy Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge of England during the year 1724–1725. He was also an atheist and opponent of racial prejudice. According to the archaeologist William Stukeley, he set up an Infidels Club in 1720, and incited Fellows of the to jeer whenever scripture was introduced into a scientific debate. He died of a paralitic attack and has a memorial in Westminster Abbey. The sale of his library, prints, drawings, gems, pictures, coins, etc lasted 56 days. Folke's married actress Lucretia Bradshaw in 1714. On returning to London after traveling with their family in Europe, Lucretia was confined to an asylum in Chelsea due to a supposed religious madness. On his death Folkes left his wife an annuity of £400, she died in 1755 a year after her husband. Royal Society roles: VP 1722/3, 1733-1741; Council 1716, 1718-1726, 1729-1730; PRS 1741-1752 Fellow 29/07/1714 23 Fettisplace Bellers Sir Hans Sloane Folkes was involved in a somewhat heated contest for the presidency of the Royal Society after the death of Sir Isaac Newton (FRS 1672). Sir Hans Sloane (FRS 1685) ultimately won although later appointed Folkes as one of his vice-presidents. Folkes went on to become President in 1741, suceeding Sloane on retriement. Folkes served in the role until 1752, when his health failed. Under his presidency the Society's meetings became very 'literary', and the Society lost much of its professional character. Presented a variety of papers, mostly on astronomy, to the Society and published in the 'Philosophical Transactions'. Proposed to convert Sir Godfrey Copley's donation for an annual experiment into an honorary prize, the Copley Medal (10 November 1736). Member and later President of the Club of Royal Philosophers [later: Royal Society Club]. Bequeathed £100 to the Royal Society after his death, along with a seal ring and a portrait of Francis Bacon [for portrait see P/0004, the ring is no longer in the Society's possesion]. At the Council meeting on 30 November 1871, a bust of Martin Folkes was offered to and accepted by the Society from Lord Stanhope. Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; DSB; Venn; Thomas; ODNB References: Richard Sorrenson, 'Towards a History of the Royal Society in the Eighteenth Century' in NR 1996 vol 50 pp 29-46, plate T E Allibone, 'Edmond Halley and the Clubs of the Royal Society' in NR 1973-4 vol 28 pp 195-205 T E Allibone, 'The Diaries of John Byrom, MA, FRS, and their Relation to the Pre-history of the Royal Society Club' in NR 1965 vol 20 pp 162-183 R E W Maddison, 'A Note on the Correspondence of Martin Folkes' in NR 1954-55 vol 11 pp 100-109 A N L Munby, 'The Distribution of the First Edition of Newton's Principia' in NR 1953 vol 10 pp 28-39 'Gentleman's Magazine' 1754, p292 Sir John Hill 'Review of the Works of the Royal Society' 1761 W. C. Lucis (ed), The Family Memoirs of the Rev. William Stukeley M.D., Surtees Society, 1882, pp 98–100 Betterton, Thomas "Chap. V. Some account of Mrs Guyn, Mrs Porter, Mrs Bradshaw, &c" in The history of the English stage, from the restauration to the present time. Including the lives, characters and amours, of the most eminent actors and actresses. With instructions for public speaking; wherein the action and utterance of the bar, stage, and pulpit are distinctly considered, 1741 Notes: DSB gives death date as 29 June 1754 Folkes P0043.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 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?ContribAuthorRaw=Folkes%2C+Martin RCN: 39471 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH2987 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-9283 29 Oct 1690 - 28 or 29 Jun 1754 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 28/03/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA8378 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 02/04/2026 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/25477557 0e8d6f46-fe58-4cfa-ba3f-7319cffe71b1