Royal Society
Preserved but no longer current.
The premier scientific society in Britain. It originated in London in 1645 when a number of learned enquirers met to discuss and experiment in various branches of science. The society was organized in 1660, meeting at Gresham College until 1710, when a move was made to Crane Court, Fleet Street. In 1780 the Society moved again to Somerset House, finally settling in its present home at Burlington House in 1857. Its fellowship, the F.R.S.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Royal Society” mean?
The premier scientific society in Britain. It originated in London in 1645 when a number of learned enquirers met to discuss and experiment in various branches of science. The society was organized in 1660, meeting at Gresham College until 1710, when a move was made to Crane Court, Fleet Street. In 1780 the Society moved again to Somerset House, finally settling in its present home at Burlington House in 1857. Its fellowship, the F.R.S.
Is “Royal Society” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.