The Lunar Men: The Friends Who Made the Future 1730-1810

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In late 1780 the nature of the society was to change again with the move to Birmingham of Joseph Priestley. Priestley had been closely associated with the group's activities for over a decade and was a strong advocate of the benefits of scientific societies. Shortly after his arrival Lunar meetings moved from Sunday afternoons to Mondays to accommodate Priestley's duties as a clergyman, while the society's dependence on Matthew Boulton was lessened by holding meetings at other members' houses in addition to Soho House. The result was to be the society's most productive era. [38] The leading figure behind the establishment of the society as a more organised body during this early period seems to have been Matthew Boulton: his home at Soho House in Handsworth was the principal venue for meetings, and in 1776 he is recorded as planning "to make many Motions to the Members respecting new Laws, and regulations, such as will tend to prevent the decline of a society which I hope will be lasting." [36] This reliance on Boulton was also to prove a weakness, however, as the period coincided with the peak of his work building up his steam engine business and he was frequently absent. Although the 1770s was one of the society's richest eras in terms of its collaborative achievements, the society's meetings declined from regular occurrences in 1775 to infrequent ones by the end of the decade. [37] Heyday of the Society 1780–1789 [ edit ] Joseph Priestley, c. 1783 Uglow, Jenny (October 2008), "Lunar Society of Birmingham (act. c.1765–c.1800)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Onlineed.), Oxford University Press , retrieved 17 January 2009 Uglow, Jenny (2002), The Lunar Men: Five Friends Whose Curiosity Changed the World, London: Faber & Faber, ISBN 0-374-19440-8

Among memorials to the Society and its members are the Moonstones; two statues of Watt and a statue of Boulton, Watt and Murdoch by William Bloye; and the museum at Soho House – all in Birmingham. The Lunar Society was very particular about who was allowed to become a member. An exclusive club, it never had more than fourteen core members, and each member was noted for their special area of expertise including the greatest engineers, scientists and thinkers of the day. Their preferred venue was Soho House in Handsworth, the home of Mathew Boulton who was the heart of the Lunar Society. The society gained its name as its monthly meetings were always scheduled for the Monday nearest to the full moon, the better light helping to ensure the members a safer journey home along the dangerous, unlit streets. Behold with surprise and with indignation the figure of an apparatus that has utterly ruined your beautiful hypothesis, and has rendered your works of labour in working, making, and writing, almost useless.”Jones, Peter M. (2008), Industrial Enlightenment: Science, technology and culture in Birmingham and the West Midlands, 1760–1820, Manchester: Manchester University Press, ISBN 978-0-7190-7770-8 The Lunar Society of Birmingham met monthly in the 1780s. It was called the Lunar Society because it met during the full moon. That way, roads were better lit for members who had to travel at night. The nature of the group was to change significantly with the move to Birmingham in 1765 of the Scottish physician William Small, who had been Professor of Natural Philosophy at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. There he had taught and been a major influence over Thomas Jefferson, and had formed the focus of a local group of intellectuals. His arrival with a letter of introduction to Matthew Boulton from Benjamin Franklin was to have a galvanising effect on the existing circle, which began to explicitly identify itself as a group and actively started to attract new members. [29]

The Lunar Society evolved through various degrees of organisation over a period of up to fifty years, but was only ever an informal group. No constitution, minutes, publications or membership lists survive from any period, and evidence of its existence and activities is found only in the correspondence and notes of those associated with it. [1] Historians therefore disagree on what qualifies as membership of the Lunar Society, who can be considered to have been members, and even when the society can be said to have existed. [2] Josiah Wedgwood, for example, is described by some commentators as being one of five "principal members" of the society, [3] while others consider that he "cannot be recognized as [a] full member" at all. [4] Dates given for the establishment of the society range from "sometime before 1760" [5] to 1775. [6] Some historians argue that it had ceased to exist by 1791; [7] others that it was still operating as late as 1813. [6] Josiah Wedgwood (1730 – 93), the father of English pottery, who was also Charles Darwin’s other grandfather. As an industrialist, he was dedicated to improving everyday life and brought affordable tableware to the masses. Musson, Albert Edward; Robinson, Eric (1969), Science and Technology in the Industrial Revolution, Manchester: Manchester University Press, ISBN 0-7190-0370-9 , retrieved 26 January 2009By 1768 the core group of nine individuals who would form the nucleus of the Lunar Society had come together with Small at their heart. [16] The group at this time is sometimes referred to as the "Lunar circle", though this is a later description used by historians, [33] and the group themselves used a variety of less specific descriptions, including "Birmingham Philosophers" or simply "fellow-schemers". [34] The Lunar Society 1775–1780 [ edit ] William Withering Lunar Society" redirects here. For society on the Moon, see Colonization of the Moon. For the society promoting colonization of the Moon, see Lunar Explorers Society.

I'm John Lienhard, at the University of Houston, where we're interested in the way inventive minds work. Like its illustrious 18th century predecessor, the Society provides a lively forum for its membership to influence change through stimulating ideas, broadening debate and catalysing action. Can you imagine being in a room with these makers of the Industrial Revolution who were genuinely asking how to improve their world? Historian Jacob Bronowski looks at the Lunar Society and says, What ran through it was a simple faith: the good life is more than material decency, but the good life must be based on material decency.The Lunar Society was at the heart of what has been termed the ‘Midlands Enlightenment’ in the heart of Britain in Birmingham. They themselves had an enlightened outlook, they came together not as a political group to discuss society and the merits or otherwise of courses of actions taken by respective governments. It is interesting to reflect upon how they viewed the aristocracy, these were men whose wealth fame and fortune had by and large been made by their own honest toil. They wanted to see the power of the landed gentry and indeed the church reduced. They wanted ordinary people to be given the opportunity to flourish as entrepreneurs. All of course probably reflecting their own positions. Ben Franklin set the pattern. The American Philosophical Society started out as his study group. Of course, Franklin's life was centered both on revolution and on tying scientific knowledge to practical social change. Fraser, David. "Joseph Wright of Derby and the Lunar Society", in Egerton, Judy, Wright of Derby (London, 1990)

The image above is a letter from James Watt to Dr Darwin in 1781 informing Darwin of the proposed discussion topics for their next gathering. These were obviously men so wrapped up in their experimental exploits that even their letters betray their complete fascination with what they studied. The list goes on: the astronomer William Herschel, who discovered the planet Uranus. He was a also a famous organist. John Smeaton, designer of the Eddystone lighthouse and the most advanced engine designer before Watt. Today’s Lunar Society includes leading practitioners from all walks of life in Birmingham and the wider region. Those that join are prepared to help shape the scientific, political and social agenda not just here in Birmingham and the West Midlands, but nationally and internationally. James Watt (1736 – 1819), of Boulton and Watt, developed the world beating steam engines that provided the power for the new factories that were springing up across the country.

Researchers might also find useful information by visiting Birmingham City Archives https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/archives and the Centre for West Midlands History http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/cwmh/index.aspx and West Midlands History. https://historywm.com/ The Society has recently launched a Midlands Lunar Trail which explores the Midlands connections of the original group. The Lunar Society, in collaboration with specialist solicitors VWV, has drawn together a varied panel to celebrate the way that the car and other forms of transport have shaped Birmingham and the West Midlands, and to explore the changes required to deliver mobility and urban wellbeing in years to come. Today, let's drop in on a remarkable gathering. The University of Houston's College of Engineering presents this series about the machines that make our civilization run, and the people whose ingenuity created them. The Society engages with speakers of national and international renown including scientists, engineers, bankers, business leaders, social and policy makers, politicians, leaders of local authorities, universities and local media through its programme of events. Past speakers have included: