Burke & Wills Web
www.burkeandwills.net.au
The online digital research archive of expedition records
© 2020

The Philosophical Institute of Victoria held its first meeting on 10th July 1855 and the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly, was the Patron.

One of the Institutes' members, David Wilkie, a Melbourne physician, proposed an expedition across Australia. The Institute considered this proposal and established an Exploration Committee.

On Tuesday 8th November 1859 the Institute received a Royal Charter and became the Royal Society of Victoria. The society, which originally met in the Assay Office of Crown Lands on La Trobe Street, then at the Natural Hiatory Museum at Melbourne University and also at the Mechanics Institute on Collins Street, moved into its current premises at 8 La Trobe Street on Wednesday 21st December 1859.

Office Bearers of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria

1855 President The Hon Captain Andrew Clarke, Surveyor-General of Victoria.
  Vice-President Godfrey Howitt, MD, FRBSE.
  Treasurer Dr David E Wilkie, MD.
  Honorary Secretary Robert Brough Smyth Esq, FGS. / W Wekey.

1856 President The Hon Captain Andrew Clarke, Surveyor-General of Victoria.
  Vice-President Major Norman Campbell, Clement Hodgkinson, Godfrey Howitt,
Professor Wilson & Justice Redmond Barry.
  Treasurer Dr David E Wilkie, MD.
  Honorary Secretary Robert Brough Smyth Esq, FGS. / S Wekey.

1857 President The Hon Captain Andrew Clarke, Surveyor-General of Victoria.
  Vice-Presidents Professor W P Wilson & Dr David E Wilkie.
  Treasurer Professor M H Irving , MA.
  Honorary Secretary Dr John Macadam, MD. / Robert Brough Smyth Esq, FGS.

1858 President Sir William Stawell, Chief Justice of Victoria.
  Vice-Presidents Dr Ferdinand Mueller & Clement Hodgkinson, CE.
  Treasurer Professor M H Irving , MA.
  Honorary Secretary Dr John Macadam, MD.

1859 President Sir William Stawell, Chief Justice of Victoria.
  Vice-Presidents Dr Ferdinand Mueller & Clement Hodgkinson, CE.
  Treasurer Professor M H Irving , MA.
  Honorary Secretary Dr John Macadam, MD.

A more detailed history of the Philosophical Institute can be found at the the
Science and the Making of Victoria website.

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www.burkeandwills.net.au Burke & Wills Web The digital research archive of expedition records
© 2020, Dave Phoenix