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The Danzig Research Society (Template:Lang-de, Latin: Societas Physicae Experimentalis, Polish: Gdańskie Towarzystwo Przyrodnicze) was founded in 1743 in the city of Danzig (Gdańsk), then in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which at that time was ruled by August III the Saxon, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland.

The Experimental Physics Society (Societas Physicae Experimentalis), later renamed Natural Scientific Society (Naturforschende Gesellschaft) was one of the oldest research societies in Central and Eastern Europe.

In 1670 the physician Israel Conradi (1634–1715) had tried to organize a scientific society in Danzig, without success yet. Several others tried after him, until the Privatdozent Daniel Gralath (1708–1767) finally succeeded. His father-in-law was Jacob Theodor Klein (1685–1759), a city secretary and also a very distinguished scientist, nicknamed Gedanensium Plinius.

At the end of 1742, Gralath had gathered a group of learned men for his purpose, an Experimental Physics Society (Societas Physicae Experimentalis), one of the oldest research societies in German-speaking parts of Europe. The first organizing meeting took place on 7 November 1742, the first scientific meeting was called on 2 January 1743. The aim of the Society was to practice and popularize science, among others through weekly public demonstrations of the most interesting experiments in physics. Since 1746 these took place in the Great Hall of the Green Gate building. Gralath also became Ratsherr (councilman) and, in 1763, Bürgermeister (mayor) of Danzig.

In 1845 the society was located in a Renaissance-era building at the Mottlau (Motława), an arm of the Vistula River. In 1840 Alexander von Humboldt accompanied Prussian King Frederick William IV on the way to Königsberg (Kaliningrad), and Humboldt received an honorary membership in the Society. Later, the society offered Humboldt stipends. The collections of the Society were displayed in the West-Prussian Provincial Museum located at the Green Gate.

After 200 years of existence, the society ceased to exist when the German citizens of the Free City of Danzig had to leave. Also, its building and many priceless valuables was destroyed during the Soviet offensive in 1945, two years after the 200th anniversary.

The building at the Motława river was rebuilt after the war. It houses an Archeological Museum today.

References

• List of publications by Naturforschende Gesellschaft in Danzig
• E. Schumann, History of the Research Society in Danzig 1743–1892 (Geschichte der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Danzig 1743–1892)
• Template:En icon Andrzej Januszajtis, Scientists in Old Gdansk

• Scientific societies
• History of Gdańsk
• History of Germany
• History of Poland