List of presidents of the Royal Society

After an informal meeting (a lecture) by Christopher Wren at Gresham College, the Royal Society was officially founded on 28 November 1660 when a group of academics decided to found "a College for the Promoting of Mathematical Experimental Learning",[1] acquiring a Royal Charter on 15 July 1662.

[3] The current President is Sir Adrian Smith who began his 5-year tenure on 30 November 2020.

Under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, the President was one of only a few people authorized to certify that a particular experiment on an animal was justified, and in addition he acted as the government's chief (albeit informal) advisor for scientific matters.

At the same time, the President was tasked with entertaining distinguished foreign guests and scientists.

Sir Joseph Banks was the longest serving president of Royal Society.