The Bristol Naturalists' Society was established on 8 May 1862. The purpose of the organisation was to promote natural science through a schedule of regular meetings during which scientific subjects would be addressed and associated items could be exhibited. Other goals have included the amassing of a library of books connected to the natural sciences, as well as the publication of the
Proceedings of the society. Monthly meetings of the general membership were initially held from October to May at
University College, Bristol, the predecessor to the
University of Bristol. During the society's general meetings, lectures are given, usually by members. At least one excursion is undertaken each summer. In addition to general membership, members can opt to join one or more of the specialised sections of the association: Botanical, Entomological, and Geological. The sections hold meetings as well. In addition to books and periodicals, the library contains other valuable works. The Proceedings of the society are published annually, now under the title
Nature in Avon. Previous presidents of the Bristol Naturalists' Society have included many notable members of the Bristol community. The first president of the organisation was the geologist
William Sanders (1799–1875). He held the office of president from 1862 to 1875. Professor
Conwy Lloyd Morgan (1852–1936) of University College, Bristol, later the University of Bristol, was another eminent member of the community who served as president of the society. Morgan was also elected to the presidency of the
Clifton Antiquarian Club. The first female president of the Bristol Naturalists' Society was
Ida Roper, who was elected to that office in 1913. Other notable members of the Bristol Naturalists' Society have included three Fellows of the
Entomological Society of London:
Alfred Edmund Hudd, who was first appointed to the Council of the society in 1875, and George C. Griffiths (1852–1924). A notable female member was bryologist
Agnes Fry. ==Recent history==