Moon over Birmingham
The Rotarian
The historic city of Birmingham, England, is preparing to play host to Rotary International’s 100th convention next June. This won’t be the first time the city has hosted an RI Convention – the first was in 1984. But long before that, Birmingham was home to an organization that presaged Rotary in many ways.
In 1765, a group of scientists, thinkers, and industrialists began meeting at one another’s homes at the time of the full moon (which provided illumination for their ride home, as many of their meetings lasted well into the night). Like today’s Rotarians, members of the Lunar Society did not discuss religion or politics at their meetings. They were interested in humanitarian causes, in particular the abolition of slavery. And they believed in the power of scientific development and entrepreneurialism to improve the world.
Members included philosopher Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of Charles Darwin; inventor James Watt; and potter Josiah Wedgwood (Charles Darwin’s other grandfather). Benjamin Franklin corresponded regularly with the society’s members, who referred to themselves as “Lunarticks.”
Next year, you’ll have the chance to mingle with an equally illustrious group – your fellow Rotarians – at the RI Convention.
Register now.