it was originally named the institute of british architects in london and formed in 1834. the group was started by several important architects, including philip hardwick, thomas allom, william donthorne, thomas leverton donaldson, john buonarotti papworth and thomas de grey, 2nd earl de grey. it was awarded a royal charter in 1837, becoming the royal institute of british architects in london, eventually dropping the reference to london in 1892.