Bell , Sir , Charles , 1774-1842 , Knight , surgeon Buckland , William , 1784-1856 , Dean of Westminster and geologist Chalmers , Thomas , 1780-1847 , theologian Kidd , John , 1775-1851 , physician Kirby , William , 1759-1850 , Rector of Barham , entomologist
Prout , William , 1785-1850 , physician and chemist Roget , Peter Mark , 1779-1869 , physician and philologist
Whewell , William , 1794-1866 , Master of Trinity College Cambridge

Bell , Sir , Charles , 1774-1842 , Knight , surgeon Buckland , William , 1784-1856 , Dean of Westminster and geologist Chalmers , Thomas , 1780-1847 , theologian Kidd , John , 1775-1851 , physician Kirby , William , 1759-1850 , Rector of Barham , entomologist
Prout , William , 1785-1850 , physician and chemist Roget , Peter Mark , 1779-1869 , physician and philologist
Whewell , William , 1794-1866 , Master of Trinity College Cambridge

William Prout obtained his MD at Edinburgh University in 1811, and then began practice in London. He was a pioneer in physiological and organic chemistry, and lectured at his residence to a small but distinguished audience including Sir Astley Paston Cooper. (See MS.4016.) He was elected FRS in 1819, and FRCP in 1829.

The Bridgewater Treatises represented in this collection were the result of a bequest of £8,000 to the Royal Society by the Earl of Bridgewater, to finance the publication of a work or works "on the power, wisdom, and goodness, of God, as manifested in the creation". Eight were completed.