Oxford Philosophical Club
The Oxford Philosophical Club refers to a group of natural philosophers, mathematicians, physicians, virtuosi and dilettanti gathering around John Wilkins FRS (1614–1672) at Oxford in the period 1649 to 1660. It is documented in particular by John Aubrey: he refers to it as an "experimental philosophical club" run weekly by Wilkins, who successfully bridged the political divide of the times. There is surviving evidence that the Club was formally constituted, and undertook some projects in Oxford libraries. Its historical importance is that members formed one of the major groups that came together in the early 1660s to form the Royal Society of London.
John Wilkins of Wadham College, Oxford, founder of the Oxford Philosophical Club
John Wilkins was an Anglican clergyman, natural philosopher, and author, and was one of the founders of the Royal Society. He was Bishop of Chester from 1668 until his death.
John Wilkins
An 18th Century engraving of John Wilkins, Chester
Wilkins' signature as Secretary, signing off the 1667 accounts of the Royal Society, from the minutes book
Frontispiece of John Wilkins "An Essay towards a Real Character and a Philosophical Language" (1668)