The Nature Centenary Dinner

The first number of Nature, edited by Norman Lockyer, F.R.S., was published by Macmillans on 4 November 1869, so on 30 October 1969 they celebrated its Centenary by a dinner. In view of the close connexion between Nature and the Royal Society throughout its life, it was most appropriate that the dinner to celebrate its Centenary should be held in the new apartments of the Royal Society. In H.M. The Queen’s speech when she opened the new home of the Society on 21 November 1967, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II congratulated the Royal Society on the advantages they would enjoy in their club rooms, dining room and kitchen. These advantages were seen at their best at the Nature Centenary dinner when the Chairman of Macmillan’s, the Rt Hon. Harold Macmillan, received his guests in the City of London rooms when they met for reminiscences and sherry. Dinner was served in the large Dining Room with its table set appropriately to square the circle.