Identity area
Reference code
GB 891 RAS GOV9-RAS GOV9/3-RAS GOV9/3/1
Title
19th Century Correspondence
Date(s)
- 1835 - 1899 (Creation)
Level of description
Subseries
Extent and medium
8 items printed and handwritten
Context area
Name of creator
(1823-present)
Administrative history
The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was founded by the eminent Sanskrit scholar Sir Henry Thomas Colebrooke on the 15th March 1823. It received its Royal Charter from King George IV on the 11th August 1824 'for the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia'. It continues as a forum for those who are interested in the languages, cultures and history of Asia to meet and exchange ideas.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Early correspondence connected to the governance of the Society. These are:
- Letter from James Tod, Librarian, Royal Asiatic Society, to William Huttman, Secretary to the Committee for Correspondence, Royal Asiatic Society, concerning the contacts he had made with European oriental Societies with the letters of introduction he had taken. Handwritten, 6 sides, dated 3 March 1827.
- 'The Memorial of the President, Director, Vice-Presidents, and Council of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland' to 'The Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel, Bart. M.P. First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer' to request that the Government might grant them use of a Public Building and in particular the recently vacated premises of the Royal Academy of Painting, dated 28 March 1835, printed material, 2 copies.
- Letter from Henry St George Tucker (1771–1851) to Sir George Staunton (1781-1859) concerning an Agricultural branch for the interchange of useful plants between England and India, and concerning Staunton's application for a House, offering space in "this great House... if the Society could migrate so far east". Address, East India House. Dated 9th February 1839, handwritten.
- "Anno Sexto & Septimo Victoriae Reginae. Cap. XXXVI An Act to exempt from County, Borough, Parochial and other local Rates, Land and Buildings occupied by Scientific and Literary Societies, 28th July 1843", printed pamphlet.
- Letter from Victor [Houlton], Private Secretary, Office of Works, to H.H Wilson, Director, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that Sir William Molesworth would be happy to receive a deputation from the Society. Handwritten, dated 31 July 1854.
- Letter from Colonel Sykes to Mr Norris, regarding Presidentship of the Society. Handwritten, 4 sides, dated 15 May 1858.
- Letter from Ian Reynold to a newly appointed official at the Society to explain that for the first time in 28 years he is too unwell to attend the meeting and therefore would the recipient act on his behalf. Handwritten, 4 sides, dated 12 January 1864.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English