30 November 2010 Last updated at 09:29

Audio slideshow: Fellows of science

Its past presidents include great figures from history - such as Sir Christopher Wren, Sir Isaac Newton and Samuel Pepys - but as it celebrates its 350th birthday, The Royal Society in London has a new man in the top job.

Geneticist Sir Paul Nurse is taking over from astrophysicist Lord Rees as head of the world's oldest science academy.

To mark the occasion, join the society's Head of Archives Keith Moore for a look back at just a few of the men who have held the post in the past - and the important contributions they made to scientific discovery.

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Images courtesy The Royal Society, Science Photo Library and Getty Images. Music courtesy KPM Music.

Slideshow production by Paul Kerley. Publication date 30 November 2010.

Related links:

The Royal Society

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