The Society of Engravers was founded in London in 1802 to promote British printmaking

Printmaking

Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints with an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable...

, largely because engravers were not allowed (unless they were also painters or sculptors) to join the Royal Academy

Royal Academy

The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...

, and also to enable "each individual to act with more firmness in opposing the pretensions ... of booksellers and publishers". The first President was Francesco Bartolozzi

Francesco Bartolozzi

Francesco Bartolozzi was an Italian engraver, whose most productive period was spent in London.He was born in Florence...

, himself in fact an R.A.. The Royal Watercolour Society

Royal Watercolour Society

The Royal Watercolour Society is an English institution of painters working in watercolours...

 (as it later became) was founded in 1804 for similar reasons. The society is described as "short-lived".

Later Presidents included William Bond, and James Parker

James Parker

James Parker may refer to:*Jim Parker , founder of Parker College of Chiropractic and Parker Seminars*Jim Parker , British composer*Jim Parker , American professional football player...

, James Pastorini and Thomas Milton were Governors.