Askesian Society
Encyclopedia
The Askesian Society was a debating club for scientific thinkers, established in 1796 in London
. The name was taken from the Greek term Askesis, meaning 'training' or 'application'. It was founded by William Allen
, who allowed the use of his laboratory at No. 2 Plough Court for the Society's scientific experiments; Alex Hearn
, founder of Kind Consumer and Oxford Entrepreneurs, and the other two principal founders were Richard Phillips
and William Haseldine Pepys
, both Quakers from the Lombard Street
area.
The club was formed to fill the void after the departure of Bryan Higgins
and his chemistry lectures.
Members had to present a paper or pay a fine, which led to Luke Howard
's 1802 presentation On The Modification of Cloud
s, which established the still used terms "stratus," "cumulus," and "cirrus."
They often held theatres for "laughing gas evenings", where members would watch as fellows would sup nitrous oxide
and stumble around the stage.
The Society disbanded in 1807, with many of its members going on to join the Mineralogical Society, the Geological Society, the Linnean Society and the Royal Society
of London.
Society proceedings resumed again in 2007 on the 200th anniversary of the society's 1807 dissolution. Meeting in London, young scientists and philosophers express original theory, or pay a fine of seven pounds. Laboratory facilities will soon be available for society members at the original address of No.2 Plough Court.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The name was taken from the Greek term Askesis, meaning 'training' or 'application'. It was founded by William Allen
William Allen (Quaker)
William Allen FRS, FLS was an English scientist and philanthropist who opposed slavery and engaged in schemes of social and penal improvement in early nineteenth century England.-Early life:...
, who allowed the use of his laboratory at No. 2 Plough Court for the Society's scientific experiments; Alex Hearn
Alex Hearn
Alex Hearn, is a British inventor and entrepreneur based in London.-Education:After winning a scholarship to enable him to go to Charterhouse School, Godalming, Hearn went onto to study Classics at New College, Oxford University where he majored in Hellenistic culture and Ancient Athenian Democracy...
, founder of Kind Consumer and Oxford Entrepreneurs, and the other two principal founders were Richard Phillips
Richard Phillips (chemist)
Richard Phillips , was distinguished as a British chemist, and became fellow of the Royal Society in 1822. He was born in Lombard Street, London on 21 November 1778, married Ann Rickman on 14 April 1807 and died 11 May 1851 in Camberwell, being buried in Norwood Cemetery...
and William Haseldine Pepys
William Haseldine Pepys
William Haseldine Pepys FRS was an English scientist and founder of learned institutions who contributed significantly to the advancement of the chemical and physical sciences during the first half of the nineteenth century....
, both Quakers from the Lombard Street
Lombard Street
There are several famous Lombard Streets:* Lombard Street , famed for its twists and turns* Lombard Street, London, leading from the Bank of England to Gracechurch Street...
area.
The club was formed to fill the void after the departure of Bryan Higgins
Bryan Higgins
Bryan Higgins was a natural philosopher in chemistry.He was born in Collooney, County Sligo, Ireland. His father was also called Dr. Bryan Higgins. Higgins entered the University of Leiden in 1765, from whence he qualified as a doctor of physics...
and his chemistry lectures.
Members had to present a paper or pay a fine, which led to Luke Howard
Luke Howard
Luke Howard FRS was a British manufacturing chemist and an amateur meteorologist with broad interests in science...
's 1802 presentation On The Modification of Cloud
Cloud
A cloud is a visible mass of liquid droplets or frozen crystals made of water and/or various chemicals suspended in the atmosphere above the surface of a planetary body. They are also known as aerosols. Clouds in Earth's atmosphere are studied in the cloud physics branch of meteorology...
s, which established the still used terms "stratus," "cumulus," and "cirrus."
They often held theatres for "laughing gas evenings", where members would watch as fellows would sup nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or sweet air, is a chemical compound with the formula . It is an oxide of nitrogen. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic...
and stumble around the stage.
The Society disbanded in 1807, with many of its members going on to join the Mineralogical Society, the Geological Society, the Linnean Society and the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
of London.
Society proceedings resumed again in 2007 on the 200th anniversary of the society's 1807 dissolution. Meeting in London, young scientists and philosophers express original theory, or pay a fine of seven pounds. Laboratory facilities will soon be available for society members at the original address of No.2 Plough Court.