The Many Names of the Philosophical Transactions (1665-2014)

JF Ptak Science Books   Reference Tools series

Just a note here on the names of about the greatest English-language scientific journals of all time, the Philosophical Transactions... ("Phil Trans"). Like the great Annalen der Physik, which also had its fair share of name changes over the centuries (see here), the Phil Trans had a number of incarnations since it began in 1665.  The list below is just a thumbnail reference for the proper name of the journal at the proper time, and it might make searching for things a little easier. 

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1665-1678  Philosophical Transactions, Volumes 1–12

1683-1775  Philosophical Transaction, volumes 13-65

1776-1886  Philosophical Transactions. Volumes 66-177

1887-1896  Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London A, volumes 178-186

1887-1895  Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B, volumes 178-186

1896-1934  Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Containing Papers of a Biological Character,. Volumes 187-223

1896-1934  Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Containing Papers of a Mathematical or Physical Character,. Volumes 187-223

1934-1990 Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B, Biological Series, volumes 224-338

1934-1990  Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London A, Mathematical and Physical Series, volumes 224-332

1990-1995 Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Physical and Engineering Sciences, volumes 332-353

1990-1995 Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Biological Sciences, volumes 338-353

Currently: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences

Philosophical Transaction of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences