Articles
213 Elections
There have been 213 elections since the class of honorary member was created in 1866, to recognise those considered by the council to be sufficiently worthy. In 1968, when the new membership class of fellow was introduced, all honorary members became honorary fellows.
22 Countries
Our honorary fellows represent 22 countries from across the world. One of the original honorary members, Dr Samuel Downing, hailed from Ireland, and was made an honorary member after he played a significant role in the organisation of the institution’s summer visit to Dublin. A number of honorary fellows have come from France, including Gustave Eiffel, who was elected in 1889 following his hospitality to members of the institution on their summer visit to Paris, during which he took them on a tour of the newly completed Eiffel Tower. Other countries represented include China, Japan, New Zealand, the US, India and the Netherlands.
80.1 Average age at death
Our honorary fellows have been unusually long-lived. A quick analysis shows that, looking at deceased honorary fellows over the whole period, their average age at death is 80.1. This is impressive even for today, when a newborn male has a life expectancy of 77.7, but is even more impressive when you consider that in 1901 the life expectancy for men was 45, and back in 1850 it was just 43.
8 Nobel Laureates
Eight Nobel laureates can be found among our honorary fellows. Six of these won the Nobel Prize for physics, and two for chemistry. Many famous physicists were elected as honorary fellows, including John William Strutt, Lord Rayleigh, Sir Joseph John Thomson, Ernest Rutherford – who became Lord Rutherford of Nelson – Sir John D Cockcroft and William Thomson, Lord Kelvin.
2 Women
Only two women have been elected as honorary fellows. The first, Baroness Platt of Writtle, was elected in 1984. Nancy Deloye Fitzroy followed in 1987.
7 Royal Personage
Seven royal personages have joined the ranks of the honorary fellows. Our first royal was HRH Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII. His son, the Duke of York, who later became King George V, was elected in 1899. George V’s sons, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York, who became George VI, were also honorary members. More recently, Prince Philip and Prince Charles have been elected, as well as the Duke of Kent.
5 Famous Engineers
Many of our honorary fellows were inventive engineers, but five of them are particularly famous for their inventions. By inventing the gas turbine and the jet engine respectively, Sir Charles Algernon Parsons and Sir Frank Whittle helped to usher in the modern world. Other famous inventors include Dr Frederick William Lanchester, Orville Wright and Sir Barnes Neville Wallis.
53 Past presidents
Almost one quarter of the institution’s honorary fellows are past presidents. This includes one of the first to be elected to the class, Sir William Fairbairn, who served as president between 1854 and 1855.
1 Prime Minister
J Ramsay MacDonald was elected an honorary fellow in 1936, the year after he resigned as Prime Minister, making him the only former Prime Minister among the IMechE’s ranks.