The Cambridge Philosophical Society (CPS) is a scientific society at the University of Cambridge. It was founded in 1819. The name derives from the medieval use of the word philosophy to denote any research undertaken outside the fields of law, theology and medicine. The society was granted a royal charter by King William IV in 1832. The society is governed by an elected council of senior academics, which is chaired by the Society's President, according to a set of statutes. The society has published several scientific journals, including Biological Reviews (established 1926) and Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society (formerly entitled Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, published since 1843). Transactions of the Cambridge Philosophical Society was published between 1821–1928, but was then discontinued. History The society was founded in 1819 by Edward Clarke, Adam Sedgwick and John Stevens Henslow, and is Cambridge's oldest scientific society. Its prime purpose is to "keep alive the spirit of inquiry". For over 200 years, this spirit has been kept alive by its members and its activities. The society is independent of the University of Cambridge, although its offices are located within the University of Cambridge estate in central Cambridge. The Society has provided an open forum and played a key role in raising the profile of the sciences to the public. The society is a registered charity: 213811 and has 11 Trustees. It is assisted by a number of full-time and part-time paid staff. Membership of the Society is currently over 2,000. Fellow of the Cambridge Philosophical Society Members of the Society are called Fellows. Fellows are usually academics or graduate students involved in mathematical or scientific research within the University. A Fellow must be recommended in writing by both a Fellow of the Society who has been a member for at least three years and a person of appropriate standing, who knows the candidate in a professional capacity. Approved candidates are elected at open meetings of the Society following proposal at Council Meetings. The equivalent organisation for philosophers is the Cambridge Moral Sciences Club. Journals The society publishes one of the oldest mathematical journals in history; "Mathematical Proceedings" first published in 1843 and now published for Cambridge Philosophical Society by Cambridge University Press It has also published "Biological Reviews" since 1926. Lectures The society organizes lectures given by prominent scientists and mathematicians. The lectures are free and open to all who