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 Professor Ballhatchet to Miss Crawford, RAS Secretary, to inform her that a decision had been made for an equal division of the prize money between the two candidates. Typed with printed letterhead, 1 side, dated 13 December 1967.
Ballhatchet K.ALetter from Professor Ballhatchet to Miss Crawford, RAS Secretary, in which he suggests, on the strength of De Gershevitch's report, that the prize should go to the author of the essay on the "Turanians in the Avesta". Typed with printed letterhead, 1 side, dated 11 December 1967.
Ballhatchet K.AThis sub-series consists of letters regarding the competition, printed notices and lists of Universities eligible to compete.
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1823- London, EnglandThis consists of administrative correspondence with candidates and examiners, and notices of the competition.
Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1823- London, EnglandThis series contains administrative correspondence and notices including correspondence with candidates. There are examples of the pseudonym mottoes and verification required by the Society, and a copy of the Prize Essay.
Leopold Joan Historian and LawyerThe series consists of administrative correspondence and notices; and copies of the two prize-winning essays.
Johnson Gordon b 1943 Historian