The Royal Medals of the Royal Society of London were established by King George IV. They were further supported with certain changes to their conditions, by King William IV and Queen Victoria. The Royal Society of London is claimed to be the oldest learned society still in existence and was founded in 1660. ... George IV King of the United Kingdom George IV (George Augustus Frederick) (12 August 1762–26 June 1830) was King of the United Kingdom and Hanover from 29 January 1820. ... William IV King of the United Kingdom William IV (William Henry) (21 August 1765–20 June 1837) was King of the United Kingdom and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death. ... Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May 1819–22 January 1901) was a Queen of the United Kingdom, reigning from 20 June 1837 until her death. ...

Originally they were awarded for the most important discoveries in the previous year. The qualification was changed to five years and then shortened to three years. When Victoria came to the throne in 1837 the conditions for the Royal Medals changed to operate on a three year cycle with Mathematics being one of the subjects for which a Medal could be awarded every third year. 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Wikibooks Wikiversity has more about this subject: School of Mathematics Wikiquote has a collection of quotations by or about: Mathematics Look up Mathematics in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Wikimedia Commons has more media related to: Mathematics Bogomolny, Alexander: Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles. ...

In 1850 the conditions were changed again as follows:- 1850 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

... the Royal Medals in each year should be awarded for the two most important contributions to the advancement of Natural Knowledge, published originally in Her Majesty's dominions within a period of not more than ten years and not less than one year of the date of the award, subject, of course, to Her Majesty's approval. ... in the award of the Royal Medals, one should be given in each of the two great divisions of Natural Knowledge.

Currently, three Royal Medals, known also as The Queen's Medals, are awarded annually by the Sovereign upon the recommendation of the Council, two for the most important contributions to the advancement of Natural Knowledge (one to each of the two great divisions) and the other for distinguished contributions in the applied sciences. These awards are for contributions made within the British Commonwealth. The adjective sovereign is used to refer to a state of sovereignty. ... Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, most of which were once governed by the United Kingdom and are its former colonies. ...

The three medals are silver gilt.

Nobel prize winners Frederick Sanger, Max Perutz and Francis Crick (among others) have all received Royal medals during the medal's rich history. Sir Edward Appletons medal Photographs of Nobel Prize Medals. ... Dr. Frederick Sanger, OM , CH , CBE , FRS , Ph. ... Max Ferdinand Perutz (May 19, 1914 - February 6, 2002) was an Austrian-British molecular biologist. ... Photomontage of Francis Crick lecturing Professor Francis Harry Compton Crick, OM FRS (June 8, 1916 – July 28, 2004) was a British physicist, molecular biologist and neuroscientist, most noted for being one of the discoverers of the structure of the DNA molecule. ...

2004 winners In 2004, Royal medals were awarded to Lord Lewis of Newnham, Sir Alec Jeffreys and Sir James Black. 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Professor Sir Jack Lewis FRS, Lord Lewis of Newnham, (13th February, 1938-) is a British chemist working mainly in the area of transition elements An inorganic chemist, his work was mainly in the area of the transition elements. ... Sir Alec J. Jeffreys, FRS, (born in 1950 at Luton in Bedfordshire) is a British scientist and professor. ... Sir James Whyte Black, OM (born 14 July 1924) received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1988. ...

External links

• Royal Society: Royal Medal