Associate of the Royal Society of Painters, Etchers and Engravers Founded in 1880, inspired by the French group of the same name which existed in Paris. It was established by Haden, Tissot, Legros, Macbeth, Heywood Hardy and Herkomer (Whistler had a row with his brother-in-law, Haden, and wouldn't join). By 1911, when King George V granted a Charter of Incorporation and Bye-laws, the R.P.E., as it came to be styled, had grown in prestige and become fully established. From 1919, in token of solidarity, Presidents of the Royal Academy have always been elected Honorary Fellows of the R.P.E.