Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1823 - ongoing (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 archival box
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 were created during the undertaking of the Society's business.
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
At irregular intervals a Special General Meeting is called by the Council. These are to discuss and vote upon major changes within the Society such as a change in the Charter or Byelaws, the sale of some part of the collections, or the necessity of moving premises. Much of the discussion concerning these Meetings will be minuted in the Council Minutes and the meetings minuted in the General Meeting Minutes. This archive contains the supplementary material that has been collected concerned with Special General Meetings.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The material was arranged chronologically.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Historic documents are open. More recent documents may be subject to closure due to data protection issues. Please contact the archivist. Details can be found here : https://royalasiaticarchives.org/. 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
Further information regarding the business of the Society can be found in the Society's Governance records. Reports from Special General Meetings would often be included within the Society's Journal. As many of the Special General Meetings were concerned with changes in the Rules there is overlap between this catalogue and that for the Charter and Byelaws.
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
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Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
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Sources
Archivist's note
The Papers were catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2023.