Join now Donate

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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

29 November 2021

Reith Lectures 2021

The Reith Lectures 2021 are given by Stuart Russell, Professor of Computer Science and founder of the Center for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence at the University of California, Berkeley. In four lectures, Russell explores the impact of AI on our lives and discusses how we can retain power over machines more powerful than ourselves.

Listen now

Other stories you might be interested in...

13 February 2022

Brotherton100 online exhibition

An online exhibition celebrating the start of book and manuscript collecting by industrialist Edward Brotherton
20 November 2021

Events Programme 2022

We're planning a typical range of interesting and challenging topics from speakers who are leaders in their field.
1 April 2021

An intriguing connection between LPLS and the Red Planet…???

A Martian sundial might well sound as if it has come straight from some fantasy, but Leeds astronomer and former President of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society Charles Whitmell did actually once build such a device.
30 January 2020

How Local Astronomer William Gascoigne Put Leeds at the Forefront of the Scientific Revolution – All Thanks to a Spider…

When William Gascoigne (1612-1644) died, whilst fighting for the army of King Charles I in the English Civil Wars, he seemed destined to be forgotten by history.
18 January 2020

Nesyamun, ‘The Leeds Mummy’ is heard….after a 3000 year silence

A team of researchers have been able to reconstruct Nesyamun's vocal tract and hear the sound that it might once have made.

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.