<P> The society was founded and received its Royal Charter in 1868 . Until 1872 it was known as the Historical Society . In 1897, it merged with (or absorbed) the Camden Society, founded in 1838 . It is now based at University College London . </P> <P> In its origins, and for many years afterwards, the society was effectively a gentlemen's club . It now exists to promote historical research worldwide, representing historians engaged in professional research and presenting history in the public domain . </P> <P> The society provides a varied programme of lectures and one - day and two - day conferences covering various kinds of historical issues . It convenes in London and from time to time elsewhere throughout the United Kingdom . </P> <P> The society's membership comprises honorary vice-presidents (management), fellows (entitled to use FRHistS or formerly F.R. Hist. Soc . as post-noms), corresponding fellows, members and associates . Its archives at Senate House include many records of international as well as British history . The society encourages, promotes and sponsors (by way of grants) historical research, academic or otherwise . Publications include its monographic series Studies in History, its annual Transactions (first published as Transactions of the Historical Society, 1872, and the Camden Series of editions and translations of texts; as well as digital publications, such as the Bibliography of British and Irish History . </P>

How do you become a fellow of the royal historical society