Henry Oldenburg

Henry Oldenburg (c.1618 – 1677) worked as a diplomat and a natural philosopher. Born in Bremen, Germany, he trained in theology and became a tutor before settling in England during the English interregnum. After the Restoration he became an early member of the Royal Society (founded in 1660), and served as its first Secretary, maintaining an extensive network of scientific contacts through Europe. He also became the founding editor of the Philosophical Transactions.

Further Reading

• Marie Boas Hall, Henry Oldenburg; Shaping the Royal Society, Oxford University Press, 2002.