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
John Davy Rolleston between 1924 and 1926. He served the section throughout his life. In 1931, he published one of the most complete biography's of Jean-Baptiste Bouillaud and in 1937, he published "The History of the Acute Exanthemata", based on his Fitzpatrick lectures (1935–36), presented at the Royal College of Physicians. Rolleston was a noted folklorist and fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Rolleston died on 13 March 1946, his career and reputation somewhat overshadowed by the imposing personality of his brother, Humphrey. His papers are part of the Rolleston collection held by the Wellcome Collection. John Davy Rolleston John Davy