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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.

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About the Society

The Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, founded in 1819, is a charity that promotes interest in science, literature and the arts – in the city of Leeds and beyond. We have meetings, lectures, entertainments, publications and visits.

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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. 

Want to join us?

Become a member of the Society for your opportunity to join the Council, to make a real difference in the City of Leeds.

Current Officers

President
Eric Blair

  • Member since 1990s
  • President since 2019
  • Professor of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Leeds: viruses & cancer; gene therapy; cancer therapy
  • Interests: Music, reading, motor sport & travel

Vice-President
Chris Hatton

  • Member since early 1990s
  • President 2007-2010 and 2016-2019
  • Astrophysics, Leeds University Life Fellow
  • Interests: Music, walking, gardening

Hon. Secretary
Michael Meadowcroft

  • Member since 2012
  • Hon Secretary from 2021
  • Politician, writer, historian and jazz musician
  • Honorary Alderman, City of Leeds
  • Read more at: https://beemeadowcroft.uk

Hon. Treasurer
Warren Smith

  • Member since 2007
  • Hon Treasurer since 2020
  • General Manager, Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House 1971-2007
  • Former Governor and Honorary Fellow Leeds College of Music
  • Former Deputy Chair, Leeds Art Fund
  • Paul Harris Rotary Fellow (Ruby)
  • Interests: Theatre, Dance, Art, Photography, Architecture, Gardening, Travel

Current Council Members

Chris Taylor

  • Member since 2005
  • Trustee since 2009
  • Honorary Treasurer 2010-2012 and 2016-2019
  • Mechanical Engineer, University teacher, researcher and manager (retired)

David Westhead

  • Member since 2020
  • Chair of the Events Committee from 2021
  • Computational Biology, Genomics, Cancer research, Mathematics, statistics and artificial intelligence
  • Interests: Running, Cycling, Swimming, Piano playing

Brian Selby

  • Joined 2020
  • Council Member from 2020
  • Retired elected member of Leeds City Council – Lead member for Galleries & Museums
  • Retired Tribunal Judge

Robin Jakeways

  • Council Member since 1999
  • I organise the annual Science Fair
  • Retired Physicist from University of Leeds
  • Interests: Music, Photography, Wildlife, Astronomy

Elizabeth Nash

  • Member since late 1970s
  • Elected to LPLS Council 2010
  • Ward councillor, Leeds City Council
  • Interests: Architecture, art, music especially opera, walking and cross-country skiing

Janet Douglas

  • Member and Council member since 2007
  • Former lecturer in Politics & Social History, Leeds Beckett University
  • Interests: Art history, architecture, history of Leeds

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.

Explore more

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. Becoming a member means that you’ll receive invitations to all these activities. In future, we plan to have a mix of real and virtual events.