British Association, an association whose object is, by bringing together men eminent in all the several departments of science, to assist the progress of discovery, and to diffuse over the whole country the latest results of scientific research. A prevailing impression that England had fallen behind other countries, both as to the general estimation in which scientific men were held, and the prosecution of science itself, led to its formation. It was thought that an imposing union of men of science with the nobility, gentry, and clergy might tend to revive the philosophic spirit of the country. Such meetings had already taken place in Germany, and probably suggested the idea of this institution. Many leading men of the age took part in its formation, but the honour of being its founder must be ascribed to Sir David Brewster. By his exertions the first meeting of those who were favourable to the design was held at York in the year 1831. At this meeting the constitution of the society was determined, the several sections had their provinces assigned to them, and subjects were proposed on which reports were to be drawn up and read at the ensuing meeting. This took place at Oxford in 1832. The university had cordially welcomed the new association, the papers read gave it a high character, and from this date it may be said to have been in complete and successful operation. The several sections of the society, each of which has its own committee and president, now are: Section A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences; B, Chemical Science; C, Geology; D, Biology (Zoology, Botany, &c.); E, Geography; F, Economic Science and Statistics; G, Mechanical Science; H, Anthropology; I, Physiology (a separate department only since 1894). Many of the successive presidents have been men of great political and social as well as scientific eminence.
At the close of each meeting, the town at which the meeting shall be held is determined two years in advance, and a president appointed. In 1884 the place of meeting, contrary to the usual practice, was at Montreal in Canada. The subscriptions of a continually increasing membership have placed a large fund at the society's disposal, which has been expended in the prosecution of science. In many cases, as in long astronomical calculations or extensive meteorological observations, the labour of subordinates is required, and certain apparatus, and it is in defraying such expenses that the funds of the British Association are very wisely employed.
The annual meeting takes place about the end of August and lasts more than a week, excursions and social gatherings diversifying the more serious labours of the association. The attendance varies considerably, having been 3335 at Newcastle in 1863, only 915 at Swansea in 1880, and 2533 at the jubilee gathering at York in 1881. The meeting at Manchester in 1887 was attended by 3838 persons. The income fluctuates considerably, having in recent years varied from £2200 to over £4000 (£4336 in 1887), and the annual grants for the promotion of science are usually between £1000 and £2000 in amount. The sums given range from £5 to £100 to private persons and institutions, for the promotion of science and publication of results of original observations. A volume is published annually containing reports on the progress of science, addresses delivered, papers and abstracts of papers read at the meetings, and copies are presented to societies and libraries at home, in the colonies and abroad. There are similar American, French (1872), and German Associations for the advancement of science.