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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 Gordon Johnson to RAS, to ask for details of the Prize Essay Competition. Handwritten, 1 side, dated 23 May 1967.

Letter from Gordon Johnson to RAS Secretary to propose an alternative title for submission to the Prize Essay Competition. Typed with printed letterhead, 1 side, dated 16 June 1967.

Letter from Gordon Johnson to RAS Secretary to submit a possible title for the Essay Prize Competition. Annotated to state that he had been asked to supply a more specific title. Typed with printed letterhead, 1 side, dated 1 June 1967.

Letter from Gordon Johnson to Miss Crawford, RAS Secretary. to thank for the letter telling that he was joint winner of the Prize Essay Competition and that he will be able to be at the Presentation. He also asks if he would be able to make a copy of the essay. Handwritten with printed letterhead, 1 side, dated 4 January 1968.

"Indian Nationalism before Gandhi" - essay submitted by Gordon Johnson. Typed, 19 pages. With the essay is a card identifying "Robert Hewson" as Gordon Johnson of Trinity College, Cambridge, and a note from Dr D.H. Marrian to certify that Johnson is a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, dated 13 September 1967.

There are copies of both of the prize-winning essays and the identifying documentation for each candidate.

This sub-series consists of letters regarding the competition, printed notices and lists of Universities eligible to compete.

The series consists of administrative correspondence and notices; and copies of the two prize-winning essays.