A group of men started meeting at Gresham College and formed a society to promote experimental knowledge. Achieved the royal charter in 1662. Still in its original premises in Albemarle Street.
Michael Faraday founded the RI Christmas Lectures. It was due to the crowds visiting the RI that Albemarle Street became the first one-way street in London. According to Londonist ten chemical elements were discovered within its walls and 14 Nobel Prizes were earned here. But women fellows were not elected until 1945.
