Royal Institution for its founding were given by the Society for Bettering the Conditions and Improving the Comforts of the Poor, under the guidance of philanthropist Sir Thomas Bernard and American-born British scientist Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford. Since its founding it has been based at 21 Albemarle Street in Mayfair. Its Royal Charter was granted in 1800. Throughout its history, the Institution has supported public engagement with science through a programme of lectures, many of which continue today. The most famous of these are the annual Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, founded by Michael Faraday. The Royal Institution was founded as the
John Davy Rolleston between 1924 and 1926. He served the section throughout his life. In 1931, he published one of the most complete biography's of Jean-Baptiste Bouillaud and in 1937, he published "The History of the Acute Exanthemata", based on his Fitzpatrick lectures (1935–36), presented at the Royal College of Physicians. Rolleston was a noted folklorist and fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Rolleston died on 13 March 1946, his career and reputation somewhat overshadowed by the imposing personality of his brother, Humphrey. His papers are part of the Rolleston collection held by the Wellcome Collection. John Davy Rolleston John Davy