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Royal Society of Literature

The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) is a learned society founded in 1820, by King George IV, to "reward literary merit and excite literary talent". A charity that represents the voice of literature in the UK, the RSL has about 600 Fellows, elected from among the best writers in any genre currently at work. Additionally, Honorary Fellows are chosen from those who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of literature, including publishers, agents, librarians, booksellers or producers. The society is a cultural tenant at London's Somerset House.

Abbreviation

RSL

1820 (1820)

Learned society

Somerset House, London, England, United Kingdom

Bernardine Evaristo

Queen Camilla

rsliterature.org

The — £10,000 for debut prose writers aged 50 or over.

RSL Christopher Bland Prize

The — £10,000 for best second novel of the year. The RSL took over the administration of this award in 2016.

Encore Awards

The RSL – annual awards, currently one of £10,000 and one of £5,000 and one of £2,500, to authors engaged on their first commissioned works of non-fiction (replaced the Jerwood Award in 2017).

Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction

The RSL – an annual award of £10,000 for a distinguished work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry, evoking the spirit of a place.

Ondaatje Prize

The – an annual prize of £1,000 for the best unpublished short story of the year.

V. S. Pritchett Memorial Prize

The – awarded to those who have done sustained and outstanding service to literature.

Benson Medal

– the highest honour that the Society can bestow upon a writer.

Companion of Literature

The RSL administers two annual prizes, two awards, and two honours. Through its prize programmes, the RSL supports new and established contemporary writers.

1820–1832:

Bishop Thomas Burgess

1832–1833:

George Agar-Ellis, 1st Baron Dover

1834–1845:

F. J. Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich

1845–1849:

Henry Hallam

1849–1851:

Spencer Compton, 2nd Marquess of Northampton

1851–1856:

George Howard, 7th Earl of Carlisle

1856–1876: Connop Thirlwall (Bishop of St David's until 1874)

The Rt Rev.

1876–1884: (Duke of Albany from 1881)

The Prince Leopold

1885–1893:

Sir Patrick Colquhoun

1893–1920:

Hardinge Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury

1921–1945:

Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe

1946–1947:

Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton

1947–1982:

Lord Butler of Saffron Walden

1982–1988:

Sir Angus Wilson

1988–2003:

Lord Jenkins of Hillhead

2003–2008:

Sir Michael Holroyd

2008–2017:

Colin Thubron

2017–2021:

Marina Warner

2022–present:

Bernardine Evaristo

The Royal Society of Literature website

(archived at Wayback Machine)

RSL Review magazine

Archived 30 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine

RSL literary prizes and awards

Archived 5 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine

Current RSL Fellows

Roy Jenkins & The Royal Society of Literature – UK Parliament Living Heritage