The Society of Entomologists of London was one of a series of brief-lived entomological societies based in London. The members met to exhibit, identify and exchange, sell or purchase insects which were sometimes very expensive as were books. Entomology was limited to the wealthy. It was a time of colonial expansion and exotica of all kinds flooded into trade centres such as London or Amsterdam. These included shells as well as insects and many entomologists collected these too.
In the 1700s people met at coffeehouses and taverns in London and several had meetings catering to specific interests. The botanists met at the Rainbow Coffee House, Watling Street, while the entomologists met at the Swan Tavern, Exchange Alley from the 1720s. These early entomologists, mainly interested in butterflies, formed a group and called themselves the Society of Aurelians.
Chronology
thumb|Haworth's terms for members of the (third) Aurelian Society, 1801
- 1745 is the first definite year for the Aurelian Society of London but it was almost certainly already in existence before that year. The Aurelian Society disbanded after a fire on 25 March 1748 destroyed the Library and records of the Society. 25 March was the new year of the Julian Calendar in those times and the Society members were present at 1 AM when the fire swept through. Moses Harris was a member and its founder is thought to have been Joseph Dandridge. Other members were Benjamin Wilkes, Peter Collinson, Thomas Knowlton, James Leman (or Lemon), Henry Baker, Stephen Austin, Samuel Lee, Samuel Hartley, Elias Brownsword, Walter Blackett, Philip Constable jr, Thomas Grace, Daniel Marshal, Edmund Overall and William Wells.