Royal Institution Christmas Lectures Royal Institution Christmas Lectures The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures are a series of lectures on a single topic each, which have been held at the Royal Institution in London each year since 1825, missing 1939–42 because of the Second World War. The lectures present scientific subjects to a general audience, including young people, in an informative and entertaining manner. Michael Faraday initiated the first Christmas Lecture series in 1825. This came at a time when organised education for young people was scarce. Faraday presented a total of nineteen series in all. The Royal Institution's Christmas Lectures were first held in
Humphrey Edwardes-Jones Humphrey Edwardes-Jones Air Marshal Sir John Humphrey Edwardes-Jones, (15 August 1905 – 19 January 1987) was a senior Royal Air Force commander. Educated at Brighton College and Pembroke College, Cambridge, Edwardes-Jones joined the Royal Air Force in 1925. He was appointed Officer Commanding No. 213 Squadron in 1937 and in that role advised the Air Ministry on the air operability of the Spitfire. He served in the Second World War in that capacity and then as Officer Commanding No. 17 Squadron before leading a series of training units. He continued his war service as Officer Commanding Exeter Sector and then