By then, sentiment had turned against electing wealthy amateurs solely because they might become patrons of the society, and in 1847 the society decided that Fellows would be elected solely on scientific merit.
På det tidspunkt havde stemningen vendt mod valg af velhavende amatører, alene fordi de kan blive mæcener i samfundet, og i 1847 besluttede Royal Society, at Fellows ville blive valgt udelukkende på baggrund af videnskabelig kvalitet.