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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter from John Ambrose Fleming to Robert William Frederick Harrison, Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society

Reference number: RR/22/95

Date: 12 August 1915

Description

Letter in which Fleming criticises the Royal Society for forming secret committees on war matters. He claims that 'the policy adopted by the Royal Society of forming secret committees...and the refusal to to call the general body together for discussion on the subject is one which I so deeply disagree with that I do not wish to undertake any referee work whilst this regime of secrecy and inclusiveness prevails'. Despite his criticism, he adds that he means no disrespect to the Chemistry and Physics Committee by refusing to undertake referee reporting, it is merely a form of 'protest against a general policy'.

Endorsed on verso as received 13 August 1915.

Reference number
RR/22/95
Earliest possible date
12 August 1915
Physical description
Letter on paper
Page extent
2 pages
Format
Manuscript

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Citation

Letter from John Ambrose Fleming to Robert William Frederick Harrison, Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society, 12 August 1915, RR/22/95, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/rr_22_95/letter-from-john-ambrose-fleming-to-robert-william-frederick-harrison-assistant-secretary-of-the-royal-society, accessed on 16 April 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/rr_22_95/letter-from-john-ambrose-fleming-to-robert-william-frederick-harrison-assistant-secretary-of-the-royal-society

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  • Referee Reports

    This collection contains reports on scientific papers submitted for publication to the Royal Society. Started in 1832 when the system was formalised, it is a record of the origins of peer review publishing in practice.

    Dates: 1832 - 1954

    View collection