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The Lunar Society was a group of late 18th century thinkers, inventors and entrepreneurs which gained its name because the group met at each others homes in (or near) Birmingham at the time of the full moon.  Although no formal minutes were kept, its members contributed greatly to the Industrial Revolution through discussion, correspondence, mutual support, observation and invention.

Members included:

Matthew Boulton and James Watt of the Soho Manufactory (industrialist/engineer)
Dr Erasmus Darwin: England's foremost physician and explorer of evolutionary theory long before his famous grandson, Charles
Dr William Withering: whose experiments with the heart drug digitalis activated scientific investigation in medicine
Dr Joseph Priestley: Britain's leading scientist, but also a theologian, educationalist, political campaigner and historian
John Whitehurst (of Derby): geologist and clockmaker whose work facilitated better measurement of temperature for industrial processes
Josiah Wedgwood used new methods in ceramic manufacture and pioneered the division of labour in his factory
James Keir: his studies of minerals, chemicals and mining advanced industrial technologies
Richard Lovell Edgeworth and Thomas Day promoted new educational practices, including schooling for girls

As well as their scientific interests, many of the Lunar Men were involved in humanitarian issues and Darwin, Priestley and Wedgwood campaigned against slavery.

The Lunar Society touched upon every aspect of life – from health to working practices and to social concerns. The Lunar men put the West Midlands at the forefront of the shaping of the modern world with their scientific ideas, technological inventions, industrial achievements, humanitarian interests and radical activities.

Category: People , Place

Institute: Birmingham Libraries Central Library