Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce

Founded in 1754 by William Shipley to encourage useful inventions and improvements through prizes and awards. It received a Royal Charter in 1847 and permission to use “Royal” in its name in 1908, becoming commonly known as the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). Its activities subsequently broadened to include education, design, social reform, and public policy. It remains a charitable organisation with an international Fellowship.