For example, those in the fields of history and philosophy inaugurated such journals as The English Historical Review (1886) and Mind (1887),[3] publications aimed mainly at their respective areas of study.
They called for a society which would aim to advance theory, consolidate economic opinion, encourage historical research, and critique industrial and financial policy.
Palgrave had suggested creating a society specializing in the publication of translations and reprints of significant economic works.
[6] Indeed, in 1887, Foxwell published an announcement in the Association’s publication saying "it is scarcely doubtful that we shall shortly follow the lead so ably set us on your side of the Atlantic.
Palgrave, Foxwell, and Marshall had discussed the idea that an economic journal should be attached to the Royal Statistical Society.
But I don’t want to exclude Bank Directors and others of the class who are for me, at least, the most interesting members of the Political Economy Club...It is men of affairs from whom I learn".
[5] Foxwell admitted that without Keynes, the appointment was a difficult one: ...any number of men with strong views will volunteer, but these are just the persons we don’t want.
Edgeworth held a chair in Economics at King's College London and was appointed Drummond Professor of Political Economy at Oxford University in 1891.
[13] After years of discussion and delay, the British Economic Association (BEA) was inaugurated at University College London on 20 November 1890.
Alfred Marshall wrote a letter of invitation to scholars and businessmen interested in economics, drawing around 200 people to the meeting.
In the letter, Marshall set out the central aims of the society, to encourage debate and enable the dissemination of economic research through the medium of a British academic journal.
The first issue of The Economic Journal was printed in March 1891, with the editor’s promise that: The most opposite doctrines may meet here as on a fair field...Opposing theories of currency will be represented with equal impartiality.
At the inaugural council meeting, he warned of a "general idea that economists had finished their proper work in the education of the nation."
[15] The slow progress of the BEA in its early years may be explained by the difficulties in establishing a financially viable association and journal.
[16] Aside from the impact of successive presidents and editors, it is possible that the application for royal charter in 1900 had some effect on this gradual improvement, establishing the BEA as a well-respected and significant economic institution.
The secretary of the BEA, Henry Higgs, proposed that the council apply for royal charter ten years after its inauguration.
Ten volumes of the Economic Journal were presented to King Edward VII, with the request that he become Patron of the Society.
[30] The RES also gave support and sponsorship to the publication of the Guide to Archive Sources in the 1970s, a volume which became the basis for a website on economists' papers from the years 1750-2000.
[31] The society supported contemporary economic research by hosting specialist conferences on varied topics including Decision Analysis (1973), Wages and Unemployment (1981), and Exchange Rate Systems (1986).
[32] Today, the RES conference is an annual event, attracting over 400 presenters speaking on varied topics over several days.
The RES Annual Policy Lecture, established in 2001, aimed to expose sixth form students and members of the general public to the research of top economists.
[34] The Austin Robinson Prize (2007), given to the best paper published in The Economic Journal by an author within five years of completing their Ph.D., was instituted to support the development of early-career scholars.
[35] The RES Prize (1990), given annually to the best paper published in The Economic Journal, was set up to celebrate the work of established economists.
In 2025 the Society launched a Fellows category, recognising those who have made a substantial contribution to the discipline irrespective of the sector in which they are employed.
[41] The Society advocates for improved diversity and inclusion in economics and runs various activities to both measure and bring about this change.