Our People
The Society is managed by a Council of up to fifteen unpaid trustees, who act both as directors for Companies Act purposes and trustees for Charities Act purposes.
A third of the fifteen Council members retire by rotation at every Annual General Meeting, when new trustees can be proposed. The officers of the Society, all of whom are trustees, are the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers are elected by and from the Council every year.
Current Officers
Current Council Members
Previous Presidents of the Society
2000s
- 2004-06 M. R. D. SEAWARD, M.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc., F.L.S.
- 2007-09 C. J. HATTON, B.Sc., Ph.D., C.Phys., F.Inst.P.
- 2010-13 A. C. T. NORTH, B.Sc., Ph.D., C.Phys., F.Inst.P.
- 2014-16 J. M. HILL B.A., D.Phil., D.Univ., F.E.A., F.R.S.A.
- 2016-20 C. J. HATTON, B.Sc., Ph.D., C.Phys., F.Inst.P.
- 2020- G.E. Blair, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S.B., F.L.S.
1900s
- 1900-02 J. H. WICKSTEED, President Inst.M.E.
- 1902-04 ARTHUR SMITHELLS, B.Sc., F.R.S.
- 1904-06 J. E. EDDISON, M.D.
- 1906-09 E. KITSON CLARK, M.A., F.S.A., M.Inst.C.E.
- 1909-11 REV. J. R. WYNNE-EDWARDS, M.A.
- 1911-12 C. T. WHITMELL, M.A., B.Sc., F.R.A.S.
- 1912-14 P. F. KENDALL, M.Sc., F.G.S.
- 1914-17 REV. W. H. DRAPER, M.A.
- 1917-19 JAMES E. BEDFORD, F.G.S.
- 1919-22 SYDNEY D. KITSON, M.A., F.S.A., F.R.I.B.A.
- 1922-24 ARTHUR J. GRANT, M.A.
- 1924-26 WALTER GARSTANG, M.A., D.Sc., F.Z.S.
- 1926-28 EDWIN HAWKESWORTH
- 1928-30 F. W. BRANSON, F.I.C.
- 1930-32 E. O. DODGSON
- 1932-34 A. GILLIGAN, D.Sc., F.G.S.
- 1934-36 R. WHIDDINGTON, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.
- 1936-39 HUGH R. LUPTON, M.C., M.A.
- 1939-46 W. M. EDWARDS, M.C., M.A.
- 1946-48 E. A. SPAUL, D.Sc., Ph.D.
- 1948-50 W. L. ANDREWS
- 1950-52 J. N. TETLEY, D.S.O., LL.D.
- 1952-54 TERRY THOMAS, M.A., LL.D., B.Sc., Ph.D.
- 1954-56 H. C. VERSEY, D.Sc., F.G.S.,
- 1956-58 H. S. VICK, J.P.
- 1958-60 H. ORTON, M.A., B.Litt.
- 1960-62 SIR GEORGE MARTIN, LL.D., J.P.
- 1962-64 E. J. WOOD, M.A.
- 1964-66 R. D. PRESTON, D.Sc., F.R.S., F.Inst.P.
- 1966-68 J. LE PATOUREL, M.A., D.Phil.
- 1968-70 G. P. MEREDITH, M.Sc., M.Ed., Ph.D.
- 1970-72 J. G. WILSON, M.A., Ph.D., F.Inst.P.
- 1972-74 J. TAYLOR, M.A.
- 1974-76 H. HENSON, D.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.E.S.
- 1976-78 P. R. J. BURCH, M.A., Ph.D.
- 1978-81 R. REED, M.Sc., Ph.D
- 1981-83 LORD MARSHALL OF LEEDS, M.A., LL.B.
- 1983-85 B. R. HARTLEY, M.A., F.S.A.
- 1985-87 D. COX, B.A., A.L.A.
- 1987-89 B. COLVILLE, M.B., B.S., F.R.C.G.P.
- 1989-91 I. S. MOXON, M.A., B.A.
- 1991-93 R. F. M. BYRN, M.A., Ph.D.
- 1993-95 MRS J. E. MORTIMER, B.A.
- 1995-97 A. C. CHADWICK, B.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc., C.Biol., F.I.Biol., F.R.G.S.
- 1997-99 O. S. PICKERING, B.A., B.Phil., Ph.D., Dip.Lib.
- 1999-03 P. J. EVENNETT, B.Sc., Ph.D., Hon. F.R.M.S.
1800s
- 1820-26 JOHN MARSHALL
- 1826-28 REV. W. H. BATHURST, M.A.
- 1828-31 MICHAEL THOS. SADLER, M.P.
- 1831-33 WILLIAM HEY
- 1833-35 JAMES WILLIAMSON, M.D.
- 1835-37 REV. JOSEPH HOLMES, M.A.
- 1837-40 REV. RICHARD WINTER HAMILTON
- 1840-42 ADAM HUNTER, M.D.
- 1842-45 JOHN HOPE SHAW
- 1845-50 REV. WILLIAM SINCLAIR, M.A.
- 1850-51 WILLIAM WEST, F.R.S.
- 1851-54 REV. CHARLES WICKSTEED, B.D.
- 1854-57 JOHN HOPE SHAW
- 1857-58 JAMES GARTH MARSHALL, F.G.S.
- 1858-59 REV. W. F. HOOK, D.D.
- 1859-61 REV. ALFRED BARRY, M.A.
- 1861-63 THOS. PRIDGIN TEALE, F.R.S.
- 1863-66 REV. THOS. HINCKS, B.A.
- 1866-68 CHARLES CHADWICK, M.D.
- 1868-72 JOHN DEAKIN HEATON, M.D.
- 1872-74 REV. CANON WOODFORD, D.D.
- 1874-76 J. I. IKIN, F.R.C.S.
- 1876-78 REV. J. H. McCHEANE, M.A.
- 1878-81 T. CLIFFORD ALLBUTT, M.D., F.R.S.
- 1881-83 REV. JOHN GOTT, D.D.
- 1883-85 J. E. EDDISON, M.D.
- 1885-86 EDWARD ATKINSON, F.L.S.
- 1886-89 THOMAS MARSHALL, M.A.
- 1889-92 THOS. PRIDGIN TEALE, M.A., F.R.S.
- 1892-94 REV. J. H. D. MATTHEWS, M.A.
- 1894-96 REV. CHARLES HARGROVE, M.A.
- 1896-98 EDMUND WILSON, F.S.A.
- 1898-1900 NATHAN BODINGTON, M.A., Litt.D.
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Grants
The Society makes grants both to individuals and to organisations in support of cultural and scientific activities which increase innovation, outreach and diversity in Leeds and its immediate area. It also supports local museums and galleries and publications relating to the city.

Events
Since 1819, the Phil & Lit has been inviting the people of Leeds to hear from knowledgeable and entertaining speakers. Many are leaders in their field of science, arts or current affairs. We also hold an annual Science Fair and organise occasional visits.