In the late eighteenth century, the meetings of a few fertile minds changed an age. The original Lunar Founders gathered together for lively dinner conversations, the journey back from their Birmingham meeting place lit by the full moon.
They were led by the larger-than-life physician Erasmus Darwin, a man of extraordinary intellectual insight with his own pioneering ideas on evolution. Others included the flamboyant entrepreneur Matthew Boulton, the brilliantly perceptive engineer James Watt whose inventions harnessed the power of steam, the radical polymath Joseph Priestley who, among his wide-ranging achievements discovered oxygen, and the innovative potter and social reformer Josiah Wedgwood.
Their debates brought together philosophy, arts, science and commerce, and as well as debating and discovering, the ‘Lunarticks’ also built canals and factories, managed world-class businesses — and changed the face of Birmingham.
Also, in the Lunar founders’ circle were several prestigious women, key to the society’s progress, including astronomer Caroline Herschel and banker Charlotte Matthews.
Modern Day Lunar Society
Today’s Lunar Society is a public education charity, which includes leading practitioners from all walks of life in Birmingham, the wider region and globally.
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.
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.
The Society actively works with other like-minded organisations to provide a dynamic programme of activities for its membership to influence change through focusing and informing debate, linking social, economic, scientific and cultural thinking, and catalysing action on issues critical to the common good.
Over the last 20 years, the Society has played a key role in influencing the development of several initiatives such as Aston Reinvestment Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Water Hall Gallery of Modern Art, Science Capital, leadership programmes for young people and on the development of the city/region’s transport and climate change strategy.
Our Birmingham Lunar Trail provides visitors and local residents with an introduction to the Lunar Society and 18th Century Birmingham by following in its members’ footsteps.
The walk and guide highlights the leading role Birmingham played in the creation of the modern world through the scientific discoveries, shared conversations and informal meetings of a remarkable group of friends.
The city centre walk takes in the surviving historic sites most closely associated with the Society’s members, together with the places where one can still see examples of their work and influence. To find out more right click here and choose 'open link in new window': https://www.lunarsociety.org.uk/heritage-trails
MIDLANDS TRAIL
The Society has also recently launched a Midlands Lunar Trail which explores the Midlands connections of the original group.
A key aim of the trail is to make people aware of, and encourage them to visit the fascinating range of historic sites, museums and other heritage attractions across the Midlands which are associated with the Lunar Society and the English Enlightenment. To find out more right click here and choose 'open link in new window':https://www.lunarsociety.org.uk/heritage-trails
Detailed Information
Contacts:
For specific contact and details of membership etc. visit the Lunar Society website:
