Linnean Society - I have always had a great respect and passion for the work of the Linnean Society, and am truly delighted at being elected a Fellow of the Society (FLS). I have very active personal and professional interests in all aspects of taxonomically oriented disciplines. These include digital content management and associated design and management of ‘digital representations’ of ‘living systems’. I am very excited at the opportunity of working with and contributing to the Fellowship in (hopefully) many areas of active research.

"The Linnean Society of London is the world’s oldest active biological society. Founded in 1788, the Society takes its name from the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) whose botanical, zoological and library collections have been in its keeping since 1829. As it moves into its third century the Society continues to play a central role in the documentation of the world’s flora and fauna – as Linnaeus himself did – recognising the continuing importance of such work to biodiversity conservation." [excerpt from website]...

[Technology, Engineering and Society]

Cross posted from Technology, Engineering and Society...

Knightly Order of St George -

I was very pleased and honoured to become a member of the Knightly Order of St. George at the annual investiture in Rochester Cathedral on Saturday. In magnificent surroundings on an equally magnificent day I was admitted as a Chevalier of the Knightly Order (CStG).

The Venerable David Pierpoint KStG, Anglican Archdeacon of Dublin delivered the sermon (David is a Knight of the Order), and the proceedings were also attended by the local Lord Mayor and his wife.

Pictured outside Rochester Cathedral with HE Major-General Dr Vitez Janos D. Karaszy-Kulin.

Further pictures can be viewed in this set on Flickr.

Background
The Order of St George was founded by King Károly Róbert of Hungary in 1326 as a royal and military order of chivalry. It has since become an international and ecumenical fraternity, drawing its membership from various Christian denominations in Europe and North America.

Knights and Dames of St George uphold the virtues of chivalry and through their charitable trust provide a service to humanity by financially supporting hospices, orphanages, homes for the elderly and other worthy institutions in the UK and Eastern Europe.

Membership is by invitation of the Grand Master. Our Order has active Grand Priories in Hungary (where it plays an important role in State ceremonial and the nurturing of civic pride, as well as charitable and welfare work), Poland, the United Kingdom and Canada.

Our Spiritual Protector is the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt. Rev Dr. Michael Nasir-Ali. Our British Knights and Dames include Peers of the Realm, senior clergymen of all the main Churches and prominent members of the business community with a commitment to philanthropic work and Christian witness.
[Technology, Engineering and Society]