Royal Society of Literature

The RSL is one of the oldest learned societies in the UK, and Britain’s charity for the advancement of literature. It was founded in 1820 ‘to excite literary talent and reward literary merit.’ 200 years on, we continue to meet these ideals, through a growing array of activities (events, awards, our magazine and website, new writing commissions, outreach to young people and in prisons) with our Fellowship of distinguished writers at the Society’s core. The RSL works to act as a voice for the value of literature, to engage the public in literature, and to honour and encourage great writers. In our young people’s outreach programme, we celebrate the transformative power of literature and the great literary heritage of Britain through the finest contemporary writers, and encourage young people to find their own voices through literature.