| Administrative history | Eldest son of Martin Folkes a solicitor, and Dorothy his wife. Attended University of Saumur, France. Entered Clare Hall Cambridg4e in 1706 to study mathematics, matriculated 1709. MA in 1717. Interested in coins; Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1719. Lost Presidency of Royal Society to Sir Hans Sloane in 1727, succeeded in 1741 following Sloane's retirement. Under his presidency the Society's meetings became very 'literary', and the Society lost much of its professional character. Folkes papers to the 'Philosophical Transactions' concentrated on astronomy. Despite the criticisms, Folkes was elected to the 'Academie des Sciences' in 1742 in succession to Edmund Halley. Following his publication 'Table of English Gold Coins' published at his own expense, his 'Table of Silver Coins from the Conquest' were published by the Society of Antiquaries in 1744. The 'Tables' were much consulted by antiquaries. He was President of the Society of Antiquaries from 1750 until his death. His communications were on Roman antiquities and coins. When his health failed, he resigned from his office at the Royal Society. |