Although the Croonian Lecture was created in 1701, it was first awarded in 1738, seven years after the Copley Medal which is the oldest Royal Society medal still in use and is awarded for "outstanding achievements in research in any branch of science" "Awards, medals and prize lectures".
Ehkki Croone'i loengud algatati 1701, toimus esimene neist alles 1738, seitse aastat pärast Copley medali asutamist, mis on kuningliku seltsi vanim tänini kasutusel olev medal ja mida antakse "silmapaistvate saavutuste eest uuringuis mis tahes teadusharus".