Abstract
THE Society for Visiting Scientists was founded on the initiative of the British Council, and in consultation with the Royal Society, to provide a meeting place and information centre for men of science from overseas visiting Great Britain. The premises at 5 Old Burlington Street, W.1, consist of a lounge and meeting rooms, a bar, refectory, and some dormitory accommodation. These are at the disposal of members. The information centre is open to all visiting men of science, so anyone arriving in Britain can, if he wishes, proceed at once to the House and be given advice and details of how he can apply for membership. Under the present conditions it was decided to postpone the official opening for the time being; but the Society has been functioning unofficially for the last few months and has already been used by a number of British and foreign scientific workers, including members of the French Scientific Mission. It is hoped that an official opening will take place in the near future. In the meantime the Executive Committee has held an informal reception. On this occasion the president, Prof. F. G. Donnan, pointed out the importance of offering hospitality to young scientific workers, and deplored the lack of facilities for them in the past. He added, "I hope sincerely that this modest beginning will be but the nucleus of something much greater and more widely spread, something that in the happy days to come will contribute to the friendship, intercourse, and good fellowship of scientists throughout the world".
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Society for Visiting Scientists. Nature 154, 391 (1944). https://doi.org/10.1038/154391c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/154391c0