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Glory in Science: What's the Story Behind the Copley Medal?
The Copley Medal is the Royal Society's most prestigious award, which recognizes "sustained excellence in any field of science." The prize is awarded annually and alternates between the natural sciences or mathematical and biological sciences. As the oldest scientific award in the world, the story and influence behind this medal have gradually revealed its importance since it was first awarded in 1731.
The first recipient of the Copley Medal was Stephen Gray, who was honored for his "new electrical experiments".
The copper trophy of the Copley Medal is made of silver-plated metal, and the winner also receives a reward of £25,000. The medal is widely regarded as one of the UK and Commonwealth's highest honors for scientific achievement and is included in the top ranks of international scientific awards. In addition to scientific achievements, the Copley Medal is a global award given to "senior scientists" regardless of their nationality. Since 2022, scientific teams or research groups can also receive the award collectively.
"Starting in 2022, scientific teams or research groups will be eligible to collectively receive the Copley Medal for the first time."
John Theophilus Desaguliers is the scientist who has received the most honors since it was first awarded in 1734, winning three times. In 1976, Dorothy Hodgkin became the first female recipient; and in 2021, Jocelyn Bell Burnell became the second female recipient. As the award has evolved, so has the Copley Medal's significance, marking the advancement of women in science.
History
The Copley Medal dates back to 1709, when Sir Godfrey Copley, then a member of Parliament, bequeathed £100 to Abraham Hill and Hans Sloane for the advancement of natural science. Under the influence of this bequest, in 1736, Copley's patronage was transformed into an honorary award, designed to reward those who could conduct outstanding experiments in the field of science.
"Funding from the Copley Colony was transformed into a gold medal awarded annually for the best experiments."
Over the following decades, the awarding of medals was influenced by multiple factors, including political and social connections. By the 19th century, the international reputation of the Copley Medal was growing, and the research results of many recipients attracted widespread attention and praise internationally.
The reputation of the medal
By the 1840s, the Copley Medal had become one of the most prestigious awards in science. In 1850, geographer George Airy pointed out the importance of this award: "It is a symbol of global competition." Many scientists attending the meeting regarded the Copley Medal as the highest honor for scientific achievement, and surprisingly, the Copley Medal 52 of the winners have won Nobel Prizes, covering many fields such as physics, physiology, medicine and chemistry.
The influence of the Copley Medal continues to expand, and many outstanding researchers around the world regard it as a symbol of excellence. This award is not only a gold and silver medal, but also an important symbol of promoting scientific progress.
What does the Copley Medal mean in today's scientific world? Can it inspire future scientists to continue exploring and innovating in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery?
