royal society: an honorary English society (formalized in 1660 and given a royal charter by Charles II in 1662) through which the British government has supported science
academy: an institution for the advancement of art or science or literature
stamp act: an act passed by the British Parliament in 1756 that raised revenue from the American Colonies by a duty in the form of a stamp required on all newspapers and legal or commercial documents; opposition by the Colonies resulted in the repeal of the act in 1766