The British Academy represents British scholarship in the humanities and social sciences through its role as the UK's national academy for these disciplines. Founded in 1902 following recognition that Britain lacked institutional representation for "Literary Science" at international academic meetings, the Academy emerged from efforts to complement the Royal Society's coverage of natural sciences.
The organization began as an unincorporated society on December 17, 1901, and received its Royal Charter from King Edward VII on August 8, 1902. Its early decades were characterized by precarious finances—the Treasury withheld regular funding until 1924. Under Sir Israel Gollancz's leadership as first Secretary, the Academy established lecture series and publications programs despite these constraints. The organization remained nomadic until 1928, when it acquired permanent premises in Burlington Gardens, later relocating to Burlington House in 1968 and finally to Carlton House Terrace in 1998, where it remains headquartered.
The Academy now encompasses a fellowship exceeding 1,000 leading scholars spanning humanities and social sciences disciplines. Beyond its fellowship structure, the organization functions as a substantial research funding body, distributing grants across UK universities and channeling resources to British Schools and Institutes abroad. This transformation occurred significantly during Sir Mortimer Wheeler's tenure as Secretary from 1949 to 1968, when the Academy secured expanded public and private funding for research grants.
The organization operates as an independent registered charity while maintaining self-governance. Its activities extend beyond traditional academia to include public events and engagement initiatives, positioning it centrally within Britain's intellectual infrastructure for non-scientific disciplines.