[1] In 1885, International Darwin Memorial Fund was transferred to the Royal Society.

The fund was devoted for promotion of biological research, and was used to establish the Darwin Medal.

It is surrounded by the years of his birth and death in Roman numerals (MDCCCIX and MDCCCLXXXII).

The general design of the medal was by John Evans, the president of the Royal Numismatic Society.

[1] All citizens who have been residents of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth of Nations, or the Republic of Ireland for more than three years are eligible for the medal.