| Description | Copies of Secretarial letters announcing the award of the Copley Medal to recipients, with their replies, usually expressing appreciation. With associated correspondence, on matters such as arrangements for attendance at meetings for medal presentations and on the new medal's design. The file includes some correspondence on the post-War posthumous presentation for Paul Langevin's award, the recipient of the Copley Medal in 1940.
The Copley Medal, in gold, is the Royal Society's highest award and was first presented in 1731. The medal 'is given to the living author of such philosophical research, either published or communicated to the Society, as may appear to Council to be deserving of that honour'. It has usually been given annually. |