18th century European scholarly societies and academies/Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce

Name of Society: Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce

Alternate Name(s): The RSA

Country: England

City: London

Active dates: 1754 - Present Day

The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce was established in 1754 by a man named William Shipley. Not only did the RSA sometimes hold contests in which people were able to win prizes for their newest and most inventive creations, including new forms of machinery or new agricultural ideas but they are also responsible for hosting Britain's first contemporary art show. This society was very much about sharing new ideas and spreading them so that future generations could benefit and building upon them leading us into the future. In 1847 the RSA was granted a Royal Charter and still are a functional society in present day. The RSA has seen many famous members such as Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, and Karl Marx just to list a few.