The understanding of monsters at the Royal Society in the first half of the eighteenth century

In tune with an Enlightenment sensibility that focused on the search for or der and regularities, monsters were given a marginal position in eighteenth -century medical works. By contrast, they had an important place at the Roy al Society during the second half of the century. This article first focuse s on the general: interest in monsters within the context of the natural hi storical agenda and corporate activity of the Society and then addresses th e medical understanding of monsters by members of the Society. Finally, it discusses some of the moral and social implications of their medicalization in eighteenth century England.