The Lunar Society

“Living in an age of miracles in which anything could be achieved”

Friends who made the Future Helped launch the Industrial Revolution Priestly discovered Oxygen

("dephlogisticated air”)and the secrets of photosynthesis

Watt harnessed the power of steam (separate condenser)

Erasmus Darwin pioneered the theory of Evolution

H2O(l) + CO2(g) H2CO3(aq)

Meetings

Took place in a variety of locations including Erasmus Darwin’s home in Lichfield and Matthew Boulton’s Soho House

Origins of the Society The society originated in friendships that

emerged in the 1750s. The friends shared a common interest in

experimentation and invention.

Boulton Darwin Priestly Watt

Development of the Society The American Connection Benjamin Franklin and William Small William Small was given letter of

introduction by Benjamin Franklin. Small galvanised the existing circle to regard itself as a group and enlist new members. The first was Wedgewood

What were their meetings like?

Long dinners with families present Laboratories and workshops

attached to their houses They did experiments together late

into the night They would ‘try things out.’ E.g.,

measure steel when it hot and cold

Motivation: Scientific Inquiry or commercial applications (making money)

Generally both Josiah Wedgewood: “Surpass the

world with wonders.” Chemistry is regarded as the master

science Belief that the mastery of matter

could explain all James Watt was a brilliant Chemist!

Newcomen Atmospheric Pump

Watt’s steam engine

The Darker Side

Society had non commercial interests, education in particular. Fascination with Rousseau

Thomas Day, who wrote best selling children’s stories, adopted children to turn them into perfect wives! This dubious experiment was regarded as humanitarian

Social class seen as a fact of life. Wedgewood wanted to turn men into machines that cannot err. Boulton shifted whole villages to built his manufactory and was not opposed to slavery

Decline of the Society

French Revolution caused political divisions

Priestly supported the French Revolution, which eventually resulted in riots in 1791. Priestly was forced to flee the country to America.

Lunar Legacy

Historian Jenny Uglow wrote of the lasting impact of the Society:

‘The Lunar Society['s] ... members have been called the fathers of the Industrial Revolution ... [T]he importance of this particular Society stems from its pioneering work in experimental chemistry, physics, engineering, and medicine, combined with leadership in manufacturing and commerce, and with political and social ideals. Its members were brilliant representatives of the informal scientific web which cut across class, blending the inherited skills of craftsmen with the theoretical advances of scholars, a key factor in Britain's leap ahead of the rest of Europe.’

Acknowledgements:

Adapted from a PowerPoint by Jonathan Coller