The President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, commonly known as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science and is possibly the oldest such society still in existence.a Founded in November 1660, it was granted a royal charter by King Charles II as "The Royal Society". The society today acts as a scientific advisor to the British government, receiving a parliamentary grant-in-aid. The society acts as the UK's Academy of Sciences and funds research fellowships and scientific start-up companies.
The society is governed by its council, which is chaired by the society's president, according to a set of statutes and standing orders. The members of council and the president are elected from and by its fellows, the basic members of the society, who are themselves elected by existing fellows. There are currently about 1,450 fellows, allowed to use the postnominal title FRS (Fellow of the Royal Society), with up to 52 new fellows appointed each year. There are also royal fellows, honorary fellows and foreign members, the last of which are allowed to use their postnominal title ForMemRS (Foreign Member of the Royal Society). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Society
In early 1660, the concept of "science" as we know it barely existed. Knowledge was often treated as a secret to be hoarded or a philosophical debate to be won with rhetoric.
By the end of that year, twelve men sat in a room and decided to change the rules forever.
It was November 28, 1660.
London was recovering from a chaotic civil war and the recent restoration of the monarchy. The air was thick with political tension and the smoke of coal fires.
But at Gresham College, a small group of intellects gathered after a lecture by a young Christopher Wren.
The group included giants like Robert Boyle and Sir Robert Moray. They were tired of the old ways where ancient Greek texts were considered absolute truth.
But they knew that arguing over philosophy wouldn't cure diseases or map the stars.
They needed a new standard.
So, they took action. On that chilly Wednesday afternoon, they voted to form a "College for the Promoting of Physico-Mathematical Experimental Learning."
It was a mouthful, but the idea was revolutionary.
They established a simple rule that would become their motto: *Nullius in verba*.
It is Latin for "Take nobody's word for it."
Instead of trusting fame or tradition, they demanded evidence. They demanded experiments that could be repeated.
They sought the order underlying the chaos.
They sought the truth hidden in creation.
They sought the facts that others ignored.
This gathering evolved into the Royal Society, receiving its charter from King Charles II just two years later.
It became the engine room of the modern world. It was here that Isaac Newton would later serve as president. It was here that the structure of the universe was debated and defined.
Because twelve men decided to organize their curiosity, we moved from alchemy to chemistry, and from superstition to surgery.
Centuries later, we still benefit from the standard they set: proof over opinion.
They proved that while wisdom honors the past, progress requires testing the present.
Sources: The Royal Society Archive / History Today