Huygens Medal

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Huygens Medal was originally named after the Dutch mathematician, physicist, astronomer and inventor Christiaan Huygens , awarded by the Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen to outstanding scientists.

Huygens Medal and Boerhaave Medal 1869–1888

In 1869, shortly before the Franco-Prussian War , the Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen (today: KHMW; German: Dutch Society of Sciences ) from Haarlem decided to honor scientists from ten fields.

Internationally significant successes in various fields during the last twenty years should be rewarded with a highly endowed prize. The total of ten medals should be awarded to scientists who have made a name for themselves through research, discoveries and inventions. Renowned scientists from the respective specialist area were appointed to the selection committee to select the winner.

Jacob Samuel Cohen Elion and Johan Philip van der Kellen took part in the competition to select the medalist for the engraving of the medals . Two different designs were commissioned from the Amsterdam medalist Elion: One design for the “Huygens Medal” with a portrait relief by Christiaan Huygens and another for the “Boerhaave Medal” with a side portrait relief of the Dutch doctor , anatomist and botanist Herman Boerhaave after an oil painting by Cornelis Troost .

The medals were made of gold or gold alloy with a material value of 500 guilders based on 1869, in England worth about 40 British pounds. Value and weight in England were 40 gs. indicated, which corresponds to 335.5 grams of 913 gold alloy. In comparison with contemporary Dutch guilder coins made of 900 gold from 1842 and 1875, the weight can be approximated to 338 grams.

Five of each medal were made and awarded every two years from 1870. The last scientist of the first round was awarded during the Great Depression in 1888 .

The Huygens Medal was awarded on five occasions to scientists from fields that were then part of the so-called exact sciences . It was awarded every four years from 1870 onwards. In 1882 there were two winners.

The Boerhaave Medal honored scientists who had made outstanding contributions in the more "organic" field. This was first awarded in 1872 and then every four years. The inscription on the back reads: "Societatis Scientiarum Hollandicae - Magnum Praemium" around the laurel wreath and in the middle the name of the award winner, the reason for the award and the year.

In addition, the award winners received lifelong membership in the Holl, which is limited to 120 members . Mij. d. Wetenschappen .

The plan was to re-award the medals in the same order every 20 years. The second round was supposed to start again in 1890 with the Huygens Medal for Physics, which obviously never happened. Instead, a single scholar was subsidized ten times between 1889 and 1908 to carry out necessary research.

The whereabouts of the gold versions of the medals is not known, but there is a Boerhaave medal with an unengraved text field made of a copper alloy, dating from the 19th century, in a museum, face signed with J. Elion F. Variants that have the same face are currently used for the Boerhaave Biography Prize .

Medal u. year Award winners Subjects
Exact Sciences / Organic 		Membership in the
Holl. Mij. d. Wetensch. 		Remarks
Huygens Medal 1870 Rudolf JE Clausius physics 1857-1888
Boerhaave Medal 1872 Henry Clifton Sorby Geology and
mineralogy 		1872-1908
Huygens Medal 1874 August Kekulé chemistry 1874-1896
Boerhaave Medal 1876 Wilhelm Hofmeister botany 1876-1877
Huygens Medal 1878 Simon Newcomb astronomy 1878-1909
Boerhaave Medal 1880 Henri Milne Edwards zoology 1851-1885
Huygens Medal 1882 Christoph Buys Ballot meteorology 1857-1890
Georg von Neumayer 1882-1909
Boerhaave Medal 1884 Frans Cornelis Donders physiology 1855-1889
Huygens Medal 1886 Arthur Cayley Pure mathematics and
Applied Mathematics 		1886-1895
Boerhaave Medal 1888 Rudolf Virchow anthropology 1880-1902
Committee members (selection)
year Excellent subject people
1872 Geology and mineralogy Hermann Vogelsang (Chairman)
1874 chemistry CH van Ankum , Jacob Maarten van Bemmelen ,

Daniël de Haan , Antoine Corneille Oudemans Jr. ,

1876 botany Willem Frederik Reinier Suringar , Cornelis M. van der Sande Lacoste ,

Frederik Willem van Eeden , Corneille Antoine Jean Abraham Oudemans

1878 astronomy Christoph Buys Ballot , Hendrik van de Sande Bakhuyzen ,

Volkert Simon Maarten van der Willigen , Jean Abraham Chrétien Oudemans

1880 zoology Christiaan Karel Hoffmann , Margarethus Cornelis lost van Themaat ,

Pieter Harting , Alexander Willem Michiel van Hasselt ,
Tiberius Cornelis Winkler , Gerardus Frederik Westerman

Huygens Medal 1913

The news that on December 1, 1913 Sir William Crookes , President of the Royal Society , presented a Huygens Medal to Alexander Graham Bell at the Society's annual meeting turned out to be newspaper duck . It was the Hughes Medal named after David Edward Hughes , which is still awarded today.

Boerhaave Medal since 2012

As part of the Boerhaave Biography Prize , in Dutch Boerhaave Biography Prijs , a modified Boerhaave Medal from the 19th century is awarded to the authors of the best biography or analysis of a scientist's correspondence.

The Boerhaave Biography Prize has been a joint initiative of the Koniglijke Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen in Haarlem and the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in Leiden since 2011 . The prize is awarded every three years and consists of a Boerhaave medal , 2,500 euros and a certificate. The image side of the coin to the side portrait of Herman Boerhaave is identical to the Boerhaave medal from the 19th century, including the signature J. Elion F . In contrast to the old medal, the reverse shows the current figurative mark of the Museum Boerhaave , which has been called Rijksmuseum Boerhaave since 2017 .

Awards Remarks
2012: Kees Schuyt About author Willem Nagel (1910–1983) (book, published 2010)
2015: Patricia Faasse About biologist Johanna Westerdijk (1883–1961) (book, published 2012)
2018: Jaap Verheul About historian John Lothrop Motley (1814–1877) (book, published 2017)

More Huygens prizes

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e f J.G. de Bruin: De Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen en Teylers Stichting . (PDF, 2.6 MByte) In: De Negentiende Eeuw . 2, No. 2, June 2, 1978, p. 120.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Hbl .: In het jongste nommer (nl) . In: Leidsch Dagblad , AW Sijthoff, Leiden, March 28, 1873, p. 2. Retrieved March 20, 2019. "van de Ill. London News (22nd Maart)" 
  3. ↑ Gerrit van Dijk: Biographical Schetsen . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen, Haarlem 2013, p. 27 (Dutch, khmw.nl [PDF; 3.3 MB ; accessed on March 21, 2019]).
  4. ↑ a b c d e f g The Dutch Royal Society (English) . In: The Illustrated London News , March 22, 1873, p. 282. Retrieved March 20, 2019. 
  5. ↑ Prijspenning Holl. Mij. van Wetenschap te Haarlem with a portrait of Herman Boerhaave. In: lakenhal.nl. Museum de Lakenhal, Leiden, accessed March 22, 2019 (Dutch).
  6. ↑ https://www.khmw.nl/wp-content/uploads/medailleBoerhave@01x.jpg
  7. ↑ Prof. dr. RJE (Rudolf) Clausius . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  8. ^ HC (Henry Clifton) Sorby . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  9. ↑ Prof. dr. FA (August) Kékulé . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  10. ↑ Haijo Johan van der Beek: EH of Baumhauer: Zijn betekenis voor de wetenschap en de nederlandse economie . EJ Brill, Leiden 1963, p. 88 (Dutch, google.de [accessed March 20, 2019]).
  11. ↑ Prof. dr. WFB (Wilhelm) Hofmeister . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  12. ^ S. (Simon) Newcomb . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  13. ↑ Prof. dr. H. (Henri) Milne Edwards . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  14. ^ A b E. Van Everdingen: CHD Buys Ballot: 1817–1890 . DA Daamens Uitgevermaatschappij NV, 's-Gravenhage 1953, p. 127 (Dutch, dbnl.org [accessed March 21, 2019]).
  15. ↑ Prof. dr. CHD (Chris) Buys Ballot . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  16. ↑ Dr. GH (George) von Neumayer . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  17. ↑ Prof. dr. FC (Frans Cornelis) Donders . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  18. ↑ J. van Oudheusden ea redactie: Frans Donders . In: brg - Stichting Brabantse Regionale Geschiedbeoefening (ed.): Brabantse biografieën . Levensbeschrijvingen van bekende en onbekende Noordbrabanders. tape 4 . Boom Meppel, Amsterdam 1996, ISBN 90-5352-296-4 (Dutch, brabantserfgoed.nl [accessed March 22, 2019]).
  19. ↑ Prof. dr. A. (Arthur) Cayley . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  20. ↑ Prof. dr. R. (Rudolf) Virchow . In: khmw.nl . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  21. ↑ Prof. dr. H. (Hermann) Vogelsang . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  22. ^ CH van Ankum . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  23. ↑ Prof. dr. JM (Jacob Maarten) van Bemmelen . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  24. ↑ Dr. D. (Daniël) de Haan . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  25. ↑ Prof. dr. AC (Antoine Corneille) Oudemans . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  26. ↑ Prof. dr. WFR (Willem Frederik Reinier) Suringa . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  27. ↑ Dr. CM (Cornelis) van der Sande Lacoste . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  28. ^ FW (Frederik Willem) van Eeden . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  29. ↑ Prof. dr. CAJA (Corneille) Oudemans . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  30. ^ CHD (Chris) Buys Ballot . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  31. ↑ Prof. dr. ir. HG (Hendrik) van de Sande Bakhuyzen . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  32. ↑ Dr. VSM (Volkert) van der Willigen . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  33. ↑ Prof. dr. JAC (Jean Abraham Chretien) Oudemans . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  34. ↑ Prof. dr. CK (Christiaan Karel) Hoffmann . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  35. ↑ Dr. MC Lost topic . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  36. ↑ Prof. dr. P. (Pieter) Harting . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  37. ↑ Dr. AWM (Alexander) van Hasselt . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  38. ↑ Dr. TC (Tiberius) Winkler . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  39. ↑ Dr. GF (Gerardus Frederik) Westerman . Koninklijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  40. ^ The Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Society . In: Popular Science Monthly . 84, January 1914, p. 102.
  41. ^ The Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Society . In: Popular Science Monthly . 84, January 1914, p. 102.
  42. ↑ Hughes Medal: HONORS. In: NNDB - Tracking The Entire World. Soylent Communications, 2006, accessed March 24, 2019 .
  43. ↑ a b c d e f g h Boerhaave Biography Prijs ( Dutch ) In: KHMW: Prijzen . Koniglijke Hollandsche Maatschappij the Wetenschappen. 2018. Accessed March 23, 2019.
  44. ↑ Illustration of the Boerhaave Medal des Boerhaave Biography Prijs , JPG, accessed on March 23, 2019
  45. ↑ Illustration of the Boerhaave Medal des Boerhaave Biography Prijs , JPG, accessed on March 23, 2019
  46. ↑ Illustration of the Boerhaave Medal from Boerhaave Biography Prijs in a jewelry box , JPG, accessed on March 23, 2019
  47. ↑ Awards: Christiaan Huygens Science Award ( Dutch ) in: knaw.nl . Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen. March 1, 2019. Accessed March 23, 2019.
  48. ↑ Laureates: Christiaan Huygens Science Award ( Dutch ) in: knaw.nl . Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen. 2018. Accessed March 23, 2019.
  49. ↑ Awards: Descartes-Huygens Prize ( Dutch ) in: knaw.nl . Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen. 2018. Accessed March 23, 2019.
  50. ↑ Laureates: Descartes-Huygens Prize ( Dutch ) in: knaw.nl . Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen. 2018. Accessed March 23, 2019.