Address of the President, Sir Archibald Geikie, K. C. B., at the anniversary meeting on November 30, 1909

In addition to the heavy losses which French science has had to deplore within the last two or three years, another has arisen from the decease of Albert Gaudry, who for more than half a century was one of the leaders of palæontological science, not in France alone, but in every country where the history of life upon the globe is studied. By his original investigations at Pikermi, he added a new and vivid chapter to the records of vertebrate existence, while by his volumes on the genetic connections of the animal world, as shown by fossil organic remains, he gave powerful support to the reception of the doctrines of evolution. Great as was his scientific genius, it was not more impressive than the charm of his personal character. Those who were privileged to know him will long mourn an irreparable blank in their circle of friendship. Astronomical science has lost one of its most notable cultivators, and the United States have been deprived of their most famous man of science by the death of Simon Newcomb. The successive stages in his interesting career have been sketched by himself in his pleasant autobiography. On his frequent visits to this country he never failed to appear at the meetings of the Royal Society, where he was always welcomed. The value of his scientific work was recognised by the Society as far back as 1877, when he was elected a Foreign Member, so that at the time of his death his name stood at the head of our list in point of seniority. In 1890 our highest distinction, the Copley medal, was awarded to him.