The Romanian scientific environment in which the Romanian Academy of Sciences appeared
Unlocking the creative energies, the Union of 1918, as well as the policy of the Romanian state allowed, despite some obstructions and failures, a solidarity of the provinces and a participation in the cultural life of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, language and religion. Accelerating the country’s modernization process has had the effect of increasing the role of education, science, culture and the arts. Romania’s active participation in international life, the free movement of values have ensured the active presence of Romanian scientists at major international congresses and conferences, obtaining patents and translating works into languages of international circulation, which could thus enter the intellectual heritage of Europe and the world.
The young Greater Romania needed the contribution of science and technology, but the funds needed to build an adequate material base (laboratories, equipment, libraries, etc.) were allocated sparingly, because, on the one hand, the available material resources were limited by the harmful consequences of and, on the other hand, no understanding of the specific needs of science had yet been formed. The great chemist Petru Poni in his “Memories” plastically illustrates the situation generated by the difficulties that existed after 1918 in the way of promoting science:
“It simply came to our notice then. We had no collections, no devices, no basic experimental material, no books or magazines from which to find out at least what others, more favored than us, are working in other countries. ” – Figures of Romanian chemists
Romanian Academy and National Research Council
The Romanian Academy, through the activity of its members, but also through the catalytic effect manifested in the Romanian scientific life, has established itself as the highest national forum for scientific and cultural consecration of the country. On June 1, 1920, the Romanian Academy approved the request of the Scientific Section to join the International Research Committee in Brussels, and on May 29, 1937 the vote for the establishment of the National Research Council, “guiding and advisory body of the state in all matters of pure or applied science must be listened to following the example of similar institutions from the countries of Western and Transoceanic Europe ”- History of the Romanian Academy in data
“Scientific Monograph” Collection
On March 11, 1938, the Romanian Academy announced the establishment of the “Scientific Monograph” collection, stating that “each volume will form a whole, giving the elements of classical preparation for current research, each year a maximum of four volumes will be published” – History of the Romanian Academy in data
Involvement of Royal Foundations
The Royal Foundations (“Prince Carol” – 1921, “King Ferdinand I” – 1925, “Charles II Foundation for Literature and Art” – 1933) contributed to the development of culture, including the spread of science. Evidence of the involvement of the Royal Foundations in the scientific life of the country is the publication of the “Journal of the Royal Foundations” (1934-1938) which offered a diverse perspective of the cultural plans represented by: economics, sociology, science and linguistics, philosophy and aesthetics, music and history as well as the establishment of the “Encyclopedic Library”, a collection of publications published by the “Foundation for Literature and Art Carol II”, which aimed to make available to all knowledge and information of a high popularity of science. (source: History and Museography Materials)