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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. | |
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| 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. |
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| Treasurer | Dr David E Wilkie, MD. | |
| Honorary Secretary | Robert Brough Smyth Esq, FGS. / S Wekey. | |
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| 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. | |
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| 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. | |
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| 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.
