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The Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society is an educational, cultural and scientific charity, based in Falmouth, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The Society exists to promote innovation in the arts and sciences. Its trading subsidiary ran "The Poly", a local arts and cinema venue until going into administration in January 2010. == History == In 1832〔The first Annual Report of the Cornwall Polytechnic Society was published after the first Annual General Meeting, held 14 January 1833. It indicates that the first Exhibition had been held previous to the AGM, probably in October 1832. At the AGM, it was resolved that the next Exhibition would be held in Falmouth in October 1834. Sir Charles Lemon, MP, FRS presided at the AGM and five other Fellows of the Royal Society were Vice-Patrons. Lord de Dunstanville was Patron. The Committee includes: "Dr. Fox , Mr & Mrs RW Fox, Mr & Mrs GC Fox, Mr TW Fox, Mr GP Fox, Mr & Mrs A Fox, Mr J Fox, Mr & Mrs C Fox of Perran, Miss Fox and Misses AM and C Fox and Mr RB Fox of Bank". The subscription was a minimum of five shillings and there were 98 members at the time of printing. Charles Fox of Perran had offered a premium of 10 guineas for the best improvement on the method of ascending and descending in mines. Sir Charles Lemon and R.W. Fox offered a premium of ten guineas for improvements in the safety and efficiency of blasting operations in mines.〕 the Fox family.〔 Caroline Fox is said to have suggested the name "Polytechnic". Her older sister, Anna Maria Fox was the initial moving spirit, wishing the engineering models made by the workers at the Perran Foundry (managed by her Uncle Charles) could be displayed. Barclay Fox, the only son and middle child of Robert Were Fox F.R.S. and Anna Maria Fox was on the Polytechnic Committee from the age of 17 (1835) until 1854). In his ''Journal'', Barclay indicates that played a major part in the development of the Polytechnic and in running the Annual Exhibitions, which also included a programme of public lectures. See Wikipedia articles on Barclay and Caroline for sources. 〕 a prominent Quaker business〔The Fox family business was originally ship broking. They were also involved in the foundry at Perranarworthal, various Cornish mines and the transmission of metal ore and coal between North Cornwall and South Wales, where they part owned the coal mine at Neath Abbey. "Uncle Alfred" was involved in pilchard fishery, processing, packaging and export. 〕 family of Falmouth, founded the Cornwall Polytechnic Society,〔(current website of the Poly )〕 to promote the ideas and inventions of the workers in their Perran Foundry. This was the first use of the word ‘Polytechnic’ (meaning "of many arts and techniques") in Britain.〔Barclay Fox's ''Journal'' (page 46) records on 23 April 1833 that "prizes and subscriptions for the forthcoming Polytechnic Society" were settled. His entry 8 October 1839 states, in his jocular manner "Miss Poly's seventh birthday" so some launch event must have occurred on 8 October 1832 (page 164).〕 In 1835 King William IV bestowed Royal Patronage on the Society, at the request of Davies Gilbert and it changed its name from the Cornwall Polytechnic Society to the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society.〔Davies Gilbert was a former President of the Royal Society and M.P., who chaired the Polytechnic Society at the time. (Barclay Fox ''Journal'':75 see also ODNB)〕〔In 1883, the Society published an account of its Jubilee year (1882) with an historical synopsis. A copy is held at the British Library: see Bibliography for catalogue entry.〕 In the same year the Polytechnic Hall was built, at 24 Church Street, Falmouth, being originally used for “objects connected with the sciences, arts and literature”, but not for theatrical purposes. This restriction was removed in 1889 to permit “dramatic plays”. The building was designed by George Wightwick. 〔 Designed by George Wightwick according to the editor's note in Barclay Fox ''Journal'':105). George Wightwick, a Plymouth architect and writer was a good friend of the Fox family and the Polytechnic. He gave a lecture during the Annual Exhibition in October 1838 and judged the competition in October 1839 (Barclay Fox ''Journal'':134,164). In their journals, Caroline and Barclay Fox note their informal meetings with George Wightwick,and his flow of anecdote and wit. see also ODNB: 〕 By 1837, the Society had local Committees in Falmouth & Penryn, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, St. Day & Chacewater, Helston, Penzance & Marazion, Hayle, St. Austell & Fowey, Liskeard and Bodmin, as well as a Ladies Committee. In all, there were 98 committee members.〔R.C.P.S. Annual Report, 1837.〕 The Society played a prominent role in industrial development in the 19th century, being instrumental in the development of the “Man engine” in mines also improved drilling machinery, mine ventilation, the health and welfare of fishermen and miners – and explosives. At the 1865 Exhibition a first Silver Medal was awarded for Nobel’s nitro-glycerine, following a demonstration at Falmouth docks in which a wrought iron anvil of about three hundredweight was blown up by a small quantity, and a larger quantity scattered from forty to fifty tons of rock. Prentice's gun cotton was also demonstrated. In 1858 the Society founded The Miners Association to better aid the mining industry. The first Secretary to the Poly was Thomas Brown Jordan. In 1840, Jordan was succeeded as Secretary by Robert Hunt, who both organised the programme of Exhibitions and Lectures and gave fascinating lectures himself. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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