Haakzilla

RANDOM FACTS:

Haak’s communications abilities and interests in the new science provided the backdrop for convening the "1645 Group", a precursor of the Royal Society.

This “1645 Group” or as it later was (misleadingly) known—the 'Invisible College'—is considered by some a predecessor of the Royal Society. The group’s meetings and philosophical interests afforded Haak the perfect opportunity to reengage with his French friend. Letters indicate that Haak was writing on behalf of the group asking Mersenne about new scientific developments in France and requesting an exchange of knowledge, even asking for a report when others from the Paris group returned from their scientific travels. Haak’s involvement with this early scientific group seems to have waned, perhaps due to his on-going interest in translation. As the group reemerged after the Restoration, it became more formalized and eventually evolved into the Royal Society. One year after the founding of the Society, Haak was formally entered as a member and in fact is listed as one of the 119 original fellows.

(source = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Haak )