About the RSA

The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, or RSA for short, was founded in 1754. From the outset its pioneering, forward-thinking spirit guided its commitment to enrich society through ideas and action. Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin and Karl Marx were all Fellows of the RSA, while current Fellows include   Helena Kennedy, Stephen Hawking and Dame Judy Dench. The Society has funded innovation and excellence in many fields from the invention of devices to sweep chimneys to the development of the first public examination system. Today their mission is to create the conditions for the enlightened thinking and collaborative action needed to address today's most pressing social challenges.