X-ray image of William Crookes's left hand showing its bones and a faint outline of the soft tissue of his fingers, darkening towards his hand and wrist. Signed and dated on the print, below the thumb: "William Crookes June 26th 1896." Inscribed in pencil verso: "Taken by A.A.Campbell Swinton at the Soiree held on 26 June 1896. (see programme)" The Society's 1896 soirees were held on 6 May and 10 June, but Swinton's exhibit featured in the first of these only. Therefore this image is likely to date from May 1896 and the inscribed date is simply when Crookes signed the resulting print (after the soiree) rather than when the original image was taken. Sir William Crookes was President of the Royal Society 1913-1915.
