Royal Medal
The, also called Royal Medal The Queen 's Medal, is an award presented by the Royal Society award for scientists who have made particularly important contributions to the advancement of the sciences within the Commonwealth of Nations. The medal is awarded silver plated.
Originally the award for the most important contributions of the past year has been awarded; times the period has been increased over the past five years. When Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, the period has been shortened to three years past.
1850, the rules were changed again; here, the English text:
" [ ... ] The Royal Medals in each year Should Be Awarded for the two mostimportant Contributions to the advancement of Natural Knowledge, originally published 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 givenName in each of the two great divisions of Natural Knowledge. "
Since 1965, three medals are awarded annually, of which two are the most important contributions to the advancement of science and the third for contributions to Applied Sciences.
Among the honored with the Royal Medal scientists are Nobel Prize winners such as Francis William Aston (1938 ), Paul Dirac (1939 ), Frederick Sanger (1969 ), Max Perutz (1971) and Francis Crick (1972).
Support the award
In the following table are (already over 400 today ) listed in full support of the loaned since the beginning of 1826 award. In the "Reason " column of the original English text and a German translation of the justification text are noted.
1831 and 1832 found no ceremony held; only a Royal Medal was awarded in 1837. Some scientists have also been repeatedly awarded the Royal Medal, as John Herschel received the medal in 1833, 1836 and 1840, respectively, for merits in astronomy.