Royal Society, The
Royal Society, The (in full: The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge), the oldest of British learned societies in the physical and natural sciences. Fellows (members of the society who are entitled to use the letters F.R.S. after their names) have included most of Great Britain's leading scientists and some foreign scientists.
The society's primary purpose is to encourage scientific investigation and experimentation. It awards research grants, publishes the results of research, presents medals, and advises the government on scientific matters. The society has sponsored many scientific expeditions, including the voyages of Captain James Cook in the 18th century and the Challenger expeditions in the 19th century.
The Royal Society started as an informal club in 1645, inspired by the ideas of Francis Bacon. It became a formal group in 1660 and was chartered by Charles II in 1662. Among the founders were Robert Boyle and Sir Christopher Wren. Presidents have included Wren, Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Humphry Davy, T. H. Huxley, and Baron Rutherford.