The correct answer is option 1, Sir William Jones. The Royal Asiatic Society was founded by him in 1823. Sir William Jones was a philologist, orientalist, and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Indian history, culture, and languages. He is known for his translation of ancient Indian texts such as the Laws of Manu and the plays of Kalidasa. By establishing the Royal Asiatic Society, Sir William Jones aimed to promote the study of the history, languages, and culture of Asia, with a particular focus on India. The society played a crucial role in fostering academic research, publishing scholarly works, and organizing lectures and conferences in the field of Oriental studies.