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.
GB 891 RAS UPE
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Fonds
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1931 - 1984
GB 891 RAS UPE-RAS UPE/26-RAS UPE/26/1-RAS UPE/26/1/15
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File
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17th Dec 1964
Part of Royal Asiatic Society Universities Prize Essay Fund
Letter from Michael Salt to Miss Crawford, RAS Secretary, to thank her for her letter and to say that he would be able to attend on January 14th. Handwritten 1 side, dated 17 December 1964.
Salt Michael
GB 891 RAS UPE-RAS UPE/26-RAS UPE/26/2
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File
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Sep 1964
Part of Royal Asiatic Society Universities Prize Essay Fund
"The Chinese Literary Revolution - Its Aims and Achievements" by "Cogito, ergo sum". Prize-winning essay by Michael Salt. Typed, 27 pages within a black card folder, dated September 1964.
Salt Michael
GB 891 RAS UPE-RAS UPE/26-RAS UPE/26/1
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Subseries
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1964 - 1965
Part of Royal Asiatic Society Universities Prize Essay Fund
This series consists of printed notices, lists and correspondence.
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1823- London, England
GB 891 RAS UPE-RAS UPE/26
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Series
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1964 - 1965
Part of Royal Asiatic Society Universities Prize Essay Fund
This series contains, the notice concerning the Prize Essay, correspondence and a copy of the Prize-winning essay.
Salt Michael