The Scientific Society was founded in 1915. However, notes in The Griffin of Michaelmas 1936 mention a newly formed 'Lankester Society': 'During the last few years there has been no active Scientific Society in the College. A Society was founded this term, and intends to hold meetings with discussion on topics of general scientific interest'. At a meeting on December 2nd ..it was decided to call the Society 'The Lankester Society'. Thus, following the examples of the Doughty, Cranworth Law and Maitland Historical Societies, we shall perpetuate in Downing the name of the late Sir Edwin Ray Lankester, a scientist who began a very distinguished career as a Scholar of this College.' After a lapse after the Second World War, the Society was reborn in 1959/60.