Galton was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in recognition of his explorations in Southwest Africa. This membership highlighted his contributions to geographical knowledge and exploration.

The Royal Geographical Society awarded Galton the Founder's Medal, their highest award, for his contributions to geographical exploration and scientific discovery in Africa.

Galton was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, the United Kingdom's most prestigious scientific organization. This fellowship acknowledged his significant contributions to various scientific fields, including statistics, anthropology, and genetics.

Galton served as the president of the Anthropological Institute, reflecting his influence in the field of anthropology and his contributions to the study of human variation and heredity.

Galton was knighted by King Edward VII, recognizing his achievements in science and his contributions to society. He became Sir Francis Galton.