Showing 5 results

From 1904-1929 the Royal Asiatic Society awarded a Gold Medal to a schoolboy writing on a chosen essay title. However, as entrants dwindled and few schools seemed interested in teaching Indian history, it was decided that the competition should be changed to one for undergraduate students. The change was finalised on 15th December 1931. Regulations for the University Prize Essay Fund were drawn up in 1932 and the first prize was awarded in 1933. In 1939, Professor Perceval Yetts designed a certificate to be presented with the prize (an example of this can be found in these papers). The prize was initially awarded annually but then became biennial. The prize money also increased at various intervals.
The records of the Universities Prize Essay cover the conversion from the Public School Medal to the Universities Prize Essay Fund, governance of the award and the conferment of the Honour in subsequent years. They include Rules, correspondence, and winning essays. However there are not records for all instances of the presentation of the award. Researchers are advised to also examine the Council Minutes and the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (both held in the RAS Collections) when researching concerning the Universities Prize Essay and its recipients.

Letter from Dorothy Stede to Col. Hoysted, RAS Secretary, to thank him for his letter and express her delight to hear of the award. She will be able to attend the Anniversary General Meeting. Handwritten, dated 16 January 1935.

The 1934 prize-winning essay, "The Importance of the Physical features of India for the Understanding of her History" by "Honesta Obtinete", pseudonym for Dorothy A.L. Stede. Typed material, 28 pages with additional label page.

This sub-series contains a letter from Col. Hoysted to Dorothy Stede and her reply.

The material in this series contains correspondence regarding the award of the Prize, correspondence with the winner, Dorothy A.L. Stede, a copy of her essay, and newspaper cuttings.