Croonian Medal

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William Croone 1680

The Croonian Medal is one of the most prestigious awards conferred by the Royal Society and the Royal College of Physicians. It is awarded annually for outstanding achievements in the field of biological sciences.

History

The Croonian Medal was established in 1701 by William Croone, a founding member of the Royal Society and the Royal College of Physicians. The award was created through a bequest in his will, which stipulated that a lecture be given annually on a subject related to biology or medicine. The first Croonian Lecture was delivered in 1738.

Criteria and Selection

The Croonian Medal is awarded based on the significance and impact of the recipient's research in the biological sciences. The selection process involves a committee of experts from the Royal Society and the Royal College of Physicians, who review nominations and select the recipient based on their contributions to the field.

Notable Recipients

Over the years, the Croonian Medal has been awarded to many distinguished scientists, including:

• Charles Darwin (1864) - for his contributions to the theory of evolution.
• Thomas Henry Huxley (1880) - for his work on comparative anatomy.
• Francis Crick (1961) - for his co-discovery of the structure of DNA.
• Sydney Brenner (1971) - for his research on the genetic code.

Significance

The Croonian Medal is highly regarded in the scientific community and is considered a mark of excellence in biological research. It highlights the importance of continued innovation and discovery in the field of biology and medicine.

See Also

• Royal Society
• Royal College of Physicians
• Biological sciences
• Medicine
• Awards and prizes of the Royal Society