The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland. Founded in 1934 as the British Committee for Relations with Other Countries, and granted a royal charter

Royal Charter

A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...

 by King George VI in 1940, the British Council was inspired by Sir Reginald (Rex) Leeper

Reginald Leeper

Sir Reginald Wildig Allen Leeper was a British civil servant and diplomat. He was the founder of the British Council....

's recognition of the importance of "cultural propaganda" in promoting British interests.