Who funded research before 1800?
In general, there was no central source of funding for research until recently. 

If you were engaged in scientific research before modern times, you usually fell into one of a few categories:


You had an official position, such as Royal Astronomer in the UK and other countries, that provided you with a salary in exchange for doing research.
You had your own independent source of wealth that allowed you to survive.
You worked another job, and "dabbled" in research in your "spare time."
You were part of the church (e.g., Gregor Mendel) and did your studies and experiments in your free time.


Industry played at most a small role in funding research, directly or indirectly.