Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1823 - ongoing (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
4 archival boxes
Context area
Name of creator
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
These form part of the institutional records of the Royal Asiatic Society.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
As part of the institutional records, they have always been part of the Society's possessions.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
These records were produced in administrating the finances of the Society. Much of the day-to-day finance records have not been kept. The archival documents include signed accounts, dealings with the Charity Commission and Inland Revenue, administrations of grants, donations and bequests, and Minutes of a Fundraising Committee,
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The material was divided into series:
- RAS FIN/1 - Accounts, Audits and Investments
- RAS FIN/2 - Charity Commission
- RAS FIN/3 - Inland revenue and rates
- RAS FIN/4 - Governmental Grants Received by the Society
- RAS FIN/5 - Grants and Donations from Institutions
- RAS FIN/6 - Corporate Covenants
- RAS FIN/7 - Grants and Donations given or administered by the Royal Asiatic Society
- RAS FIN/8 - Donations and Bequests
- RAS FIN/9 - Minutes of Fundraising Group
- RAS FIN/10 - Administrative papers
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Earlier records are open. More modern ones are subject to confidentiality restrictions. Please contact the archivist using the email address given here. The archive is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-5, and Thursdays 2-5. Access is to any researcher without appointment but it will help if an appointment is made via phone or email. Please bring photo ID.
Conditions governing reproduction
Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
The Council Minutes (RAS GOV1) will provide further details regarding the financial operations of the Society. The catalogue for the Finance Committee Meeting Minutes can be found at RAS FIN1
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
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Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
This material was catalogued in 2024 by Nancy Charley, Royal Asiatic Society Archivist.