The current BPS was founded as the Northern British Pteridological Society in 1891, in Kendal, which was then in Westmorland. The meeting was set up by Robert Whiteside of Lancaster, and held in a room provided by Joseph Wiper, probably in his ‘Kendal Mint Cake’ factory. Robert Whiteside’s rather ornate membership card is in the BPS Archive at World Museum Liverpool.

The original members were all from the north of England, but by the time of the first AGM in August 1892, there were members from other parts of the country, so the ‘Northern’ was dropped from the name. The first President was Dr Frederick Stansfield. Many other notable names from this early society are remembered in varietal names, amongst them Bolton, Barnes, and Stabler. The aim of the Society was to encourage the collection and raising of the best varieties of ferns.

Today, the Society has a world-wide membership, and supports gardeners, horticulturalists, field botanists, scientists, and artists, through publications, meetings, and social media.