Abbreviation RCI Legal status Active | Formation June 20, 1849 | |
Type Organizations based in Canada with royal patronage Purpose encouragement and general advancement of the physical sciences, the arts and the manufactures Headquarters Toronto, Ontario, Canada | ||
The Royal Canadian Institute, or RCI, is an organization dedicated to the advancement of science.
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History
The Canadian Institute was first formed in Toronto on June 20, 1849, by Sir Sandford Fleming and Kivas Tully. It was originally conceived of as an organization for surveyors, civil engineers, and architects practising in and about Toronto, Ontario. It quickly became more general in its scientific interests. A royal charter was granted Nov. 4, 1851 in which the objects of the society are declared to be "the encouragement and general advancement of the physical sciences, the arts and the manufactures." It is today the oldest scientific society in Canada.
Presidents
Notable past presidents include John Charles Fields (1919-1925; founder of the Fields Medal), William Edmond Logan, Sir Daniel Wilson, Sir John Henry Lefroy, Sir John Beverley Robinson, George William Allan, William Henry Draper, Sir Oliver Mowat and Henry Holmes Croft.
Museum
Its first museum collection mostly consisted of archaeological and ethnographic items from Native groups in Canada. Its first curator was David Boyle. In 1896, needing more room for the museum, the collection was transferred to the Toronto Normal School (or Ontario Provincial Museum) under Boyle's care until his death in 1911. Its collection was later transferred to the Royal Ontario Museum.
Journal
The Institute regularly published a journal, 'the Canadian Journal', 1852-1878 under various titles, as Proceedings, 1879-1890 Transactions 1890-, etc., to the present time. 'Early Days of the Canadian Institute' by Sir Sandford Fleming was published in 1899.
Lectures
Every year they host two series of lectures, fall and winter, hosted at the University of Toronto.
Awards
Every year since 1982, the RCI has awarded the Sandford Fleming Award to a Canadian who has made outstanding contributions to the public understanding of science.