ABSTRACT
Women in Science: historical membership atacademies of science The debate on the fact that there are very fewwomen (less than 10%) in the leading researchinstitutions was raised more than four decades ago. This has triggered several studies to document thecontribution of women to science and scientificdiscoveries. In 2010; the Royal Society of Londoncelebrated its 350th anniversary; but the historicabsence of women scientists from the seminars;exhibitions and publications was noted. Althoughthe Royal Society was founded in 1660; womenwere not permitted by statute to become fellowsuntil 285 years later; in 1945. An exception wasmade for Queen Victoria; who was made a royalfellow.This situation was not unique for theBritish; it was the same for other elite science academies...