In 2025 we’re celebrating 200 years of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES and Ri Discourses – both landmark moments in the Ri’s rich history of engaging public audiences with science – as well as the discovery of benzene. Join us throughout 2025 to explore the past, present and future of science, as we Discover200
Pioneering public engagement
Tell us your memories
Throughout 2025 we’re celebrating the 200th anniversaries of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES and Ri Discourses, and we’re asking as many people as possible to share their memories of these two landmark series. Do you have a favourite lecturer or demonstration? How has watching the lectures changed your life?
Find out more about Discover200
Special events, exhibitions and untold stories from our internationally significant archive – explore more Discover200 content here.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) Lecturing in the Theatre at the Royal Institution, c.1856 (coloured lithograph) by Blaikley, Alexander (1816-1903)
Our history
The Royal Institution was founded in March 1799 with the aim of introducing new technologies and teaching science to the general public. Find out what happened next.