The president of the Royal Astronomical Society (prior to 1831 known as President of the Astronomical Society of London) chairs the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) and its formal meetings.

They also liaise with government organisations (including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the UK Research Councils), similar societies in other countries, and the International Astronomical Union on behalf of the UK astronomy and geophysics communities.

[1] The first president was William Herschel in 1821,[2] though he never chaired a meeting.

Francis Baily and George Airy were elected a record of four times each.

Airy was additionally appointed by Council for a partial term, so served as President a total of five times, more than anyone else.