Created in 1783 by Royal Charter, the Society's list of Fellows has included Adam Smith, Walter Scott, Charles Darwin, William Wordsworth and Francis Crick. A Fellowship recognises exceptional distinction in academia, the professions or industry and commerce.
Earlier this month, Professor Benton's book When Life Nearly Died: the greatest mass extinction of all time, about the catastrophe that wiped out at least 90 per cent of all life on Earth 251 million years ago was published in paperback.
Professor Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: "A Fellowship is a great honour and one that Mike Benton richly deserves for his sustained academic excellence."