Description | Poses the question of whether the Council and President of the Royal Society should be advised: (a) To allow 'the lady' [Hertha Ayrton] to be nominated as a Candidate [for Fellowship of the Royal Society], (b) To direct that the Certificate is not registered or read, on the grounds that as a woman she is not qualified to be a Candidate, (c) To decide which course is best in the interests of the Society. Asks generally whether women should or should not be allowed to be Candidates.
In answer, gives the opinion that married women are not eligible as Fellows, and whether the Charters admit the election of unmarried women is doubtful. Concludes that the structures of the Society suggest that only men can be elected, and that if a woman was elected she would become disqualified by marriage.
Signed [William Otto] Danckwerts and R. J. Parker of Lincoln's Inn. |