Cambridge Philosophical Society

The Cambridge Philosophical Society (CPS) is a scientific society at the University of Cambridge. It was founded in 1819. The name derives from the medieval use of the word philosophy to denote any research undertaken outside the fields of theology and medicine. The society was granted a royal charter by William IV in 1832.

The society has published several scientific journals, including Biological Reviews (established 1926) and Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society (formerly entitled Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, published since 1843). Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society was published between 1821–1928, but was then discontinued.

Fellow of the Cambridge Philosophical Society (F.C.P.S.)

Members of the Society are called Fellows and are permitted to use the 'FCPS' post-nominal title. Fellows are usually academics or graduate students involved in mathematical or scientific research within the University. A Fellow must be recommended in writing by both a Fellow of the Society who has been a member for at least three years and a person of appropriate standing, who knows the candidate in a professional capacity. Approved candidates are elected at open meetings of the Society following proposal at Council Meetings.

The equivalent organisation for philosophers is the Cambridge Moral Sciences Club.

Further reading

• A. Rupert Hall (1969). The Cambridge Philosophical Society: A History 1819-1969. Cambridge Philosophical Society. ISBN 0-9500348-1-9.

External links

• Cambridge Philosophical Society
• University of Cambridge