Royal Society of Canada

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC; French: Société royale du Canada, SRC), also known as the Academies of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences of Canada (French: Académies des arts, des lettres et des sciences du Canada), is the senior national, bilingual council of distinguished Canadian scholars, humanists, scientists, and artists in Canada.

Royal Society of Canada

Coat of arms
Abbreviation	RSC (SRC in French)
Formation	1882
Type	Learned society
Legal status	Nonprofit organization
Purpose	promote Canadian research and scholarly accomplishment in both official languages, recognize academic and artistic excellence, and advise governments, non-governmental organizations and Canadians on matters of public interest.
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Region served	Canada
Official languages	English French
Website	rsc-src.ca

As Canada's national academy, the RSC exists to promote Canadian research and scholarly accomplishment in both of Canada's official languages; advise governments, non-governmental organizations, and Canadians generally on matters of public interest; recognize academic and artistic excellence; and mentor young scholars and artists.^[1]

History

In the late 1870s, the Governor General of Canada, John Campbell, Marquis of Lorne, determined that Canada required a cultural institution to promote national scientific research and development. Since that time, succeeding governors general have remained involved with the affairs of the Society. In 1882, the Royal Society of Canada was founded with the personal patronage of Lord Lorne. A year later, in 1883, the Society was incorporated by an act of the Parliament of Canada.^[2]

From its founding until the early 1900s, the structure of the RSC imitated the model of the Royal Society of London, but with the important addition of literature and other elements found in the Institut de France. Like their counterparts, membership to the RSC was limited and by election. Initially, the RSC was divided into four sections, each of 20 Fellows. These sections were: French literature, history, and archaeology; English literature, history, and archaeology; mathematical, physical and chemical sciences; and geological and biological sciences.

The founding fellows of the RSC included Sandford Fleming, the originator of the world system of Standard Time, and William Osler, one of the greatest physicians of his time. The fellows of the RSC were nominated by a committee directed by the Principal of McGill University, John William Dawson, and by the former Premier of Quebec, Pierre Chauveau. These two men served as the first and second presidents of the Society.^[3]

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (seated), the consort of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, is admitted to the Royal Society of Canada at Rideau Hall, in Ottawa, Ontario. The officers of the Society (standing, left to right) are: Charles Camsell, L.S. Russell, T.W.N. Cameron, President Leon Marion, and C.P. Stacey

As Canadian scholarship and research increased, the RSC also grew. Within three decades, the fellowship of the RSC doubled in number. After several phases of restructuring, the RSC evolved its contemporary organization. In 2010, Governor General David Johnston was elected as an honorary fellow of the Society.

RSC Academies

Each year, the RSC elects approximately 100 Fellows to its three Academies: the Academy of Arts and Humanities, the Academy of Social Sciences, and the Academy of Science. These individuals have made significant contributions to their fields and Canadian public life. In 2024, the RSC included over 2,500 Fellows.^[4]

There are three divisions of the Academy of Arts and Humanities: an anglophone division, humanities; a francophone division, letters and humanities; and a bilingual division for the arts, embracing architecture, creative writing, and other arts. There are two divisions of the Academy of Social Sciences: an anglophone division, social sciences; and Sciences Sociales. There are four bilingual divisions of the Academy of Science: applied sciences and engineering; Earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences; medical sciences; mathematical and physical sciences.

Presently, the Fellowship comprises four categories: Regularly Elected Fellows, Specially Elected Fellows, International Fellows, and Honorary Fellows. Once inducted into the Society, Fellows may use the post-nominal letters FRSC (fellow of the Royal Society of Canada) in English and MSRC (membre de la Société royale du Canada) in French.

The College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists

The College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists (also known as the RSC College) was established in 2014 to represent the emerging generation of intellectual leaders in Canada. Each year, approximately 50 Canadians and Permanent Residents are elected to the college for a seven-year term. Nomination of candidates for the college follows a similar procedure as nomination for the Fellows of RSC.^[5]

Institutional Members

The RSC officially began the Institutional Member (IM) programme in 2004. The goal was to provide a mechanism by which the Society could develop its programmes in conjunction with Canadian universities and by which universities could have formal and direct input into the strategic organization and governance of the Society. This closer relationship facilitates the nomination of new Fellows and College Members from all Canadian universities and provides a means for the Society to sponsor scholarly activities at institutions of all sizes across Canada. There are currently 61 Institutional Members of the RSC.^[6]

Awards

The headquarters of the Royal Society of Canada in Ottawa

The RSC recognizes notable achievements in research and innovation by awarding medals and prizes.^[7] Twenty three Society awards are offered on an annual or biennial basis and consist of either medals or certificates, some of them with cash prizes.

Arms

Coat of arms of Royal Society of Canada

Crest A hand proper holding a maple leaf Gules, all between two branches of laurel fructed proper.[8] Escutcheon Argent in base an open book proper bound Sable edged Or pendent therefrom by ribbons Azure four seals, on a quarter Gules a coronet erablé Or. Motto Studiis Eodem Diversis Nitimur.

See also

• List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage