XVIII. Account of the Establishment of a Scientific Prize by the late Alexander Keith, Esq. of Dunottar

Extract

It is no doubt already known to you, that the late Alexander Keith, Esq. of Dunottar, bequeathed the sum of L. 1000 for the purpose of promoting the interests of Science in Scotland. Having been appointed Trustees for the Management of this Fund, wa have endeavoured to appropriate it in the most advantageous manner for the advancement of Science; and we have the satisfaction of stating, that the plan which has been adopted met with the special approbation of Mr Keith himself, to whom it was communicated previous to his death.

As the Royal Society of Edinburgh is the principal Scientific Establishment in Scotland, we hereby offer to its President and Council the sum of L 600; the principal of which shall on no account be encroached upon, while the interest shall form a Biennial Prize for the most important discoveries in Science, made in any part of the World, but communicated by their Author to the Royal Society, and published for the first time in their Transactions.