Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1823 - ongoing (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
9 boxes and 9 bound volumes
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 records are part of the Royal Asiatic Society's Institutional Records and therefore part of the historical records of the Society.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
These are part of the institutional records of the Royal Asiatic Society which have been accumulated throughout its history.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The Royal Asiatic Society has operated as a membership organisation since its founding. This collection contains records relating to the Society's membership, including administrative and financial documents such as membership lists and subscriptions ledgers. There are also papers relating to membership application and election of members, as well as textual and visual material relating to members which came into the Society's holdings as a result of its interaction with members. The relationship between the Society and its members is further documented in this collection through letters, notices and other communications such as newsletters.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
This collection is divided into seven series:
- RAS MEMB/1 - Membership Lists
- RAS MEMB/2 - Membership Forms and Applications
- RAS MEMB/3 - Members' Correspondence
- RAS MEMB/4 - Membership Subscription
- RAS MEMB/5 - Printed Material relating to Members
- RAS MEMB/6 - Administration and Member Communications
- RAS MEMB/7 - Fellowship and Development Committee
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Partly open. Access to some material is restricted due to confidentiality and data protection reasons. Please contact the archivist for further information.
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
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
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
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
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
These papers were catalogued by James Liu, RAS Archivist, in 2025.