Sir Godfrey Copley, 2nd Baronet

Sir Godfrey Copley (* about 1653, † April 9, 1709 in Sprotborough ) was a wealthy English landowner who is known as founder of the Copley Medal of the Royal Society.

Life

Copley was the son of a baron and lived on the family estate in Sprotborough (South Yorkshire ). As a wealthy landowner, he made several interests: He worked as an art collector and was elected in 1691 to the Royal Society in London. From 1695, he spent ten years as a member of Parliament; also he was Commissioner and Comptroller of the accounts of the British Army.

In 1709, he bequeathed to the Royal Society a considerable sum, which provided the financial means for a to be awarded annually Price: named after him Copley Medal (English Copley Medal ). This was the most important award of the Royal Society for outstanding scientific achievements and became the model for a series of similar rates of other institutions.

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