Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1930 - ongoing (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 folder handwritten, typed and printed
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
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
At irregular intervals short histories and statements concerning the activities of the Society have been produced for promotional purposes. Many of these are undated but an approximate date can be estimated from their contents. The statements available are:
- An account of the Society's activities with an accompanying letter from George A. Grierson, dated 8 March 1923. Typed and handwritten, 13 pieces
- 'An Extract from the Indian Pioneer Mail' concerning the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed, 2 pieces.
- A handwritten account of the Society's activities, 2 pieces c.1920.
- 'A Brief Account of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, founded 1823' - a typed account of the origins and activities of the Society, 3 pages, [1936-1977].
- 'The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland: A Summary of its Achievements and Activities' - a typed account of the activities of the Society, 3 pages, [1935-1977].
- 'The Society's Prizes' - a single typed sheet listing the Society's Prizes and Publication Funds [1935-1977].
- 'Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, 56, Queen Street, London, W.1, England: Memorandum' - typed statement of the history, activities and expenditure of the Society possibly written as an appeal letter to the Ford Foundation, 2 pages [1947-1988].
- 'Royal Asiatic Society: Founded 1823' - annotated typed draft of the history and activities of the Society, 4 pages, [1952-1955].
- 'Royal Asiatic Society (incorporated by Royal Charter) - typed page listing the activities of the Society and current subscription rates, 1 page, [1943-1952].
- 'The Royal Asiatic Society' - 2 typed drafts of a statement about the history and activities of the Society. One is heavily annotated and ascribed to Sir Richard Winstedt, 7 and 6 pages, [1952-1955].
- 'Royal Asiatic Society' - printed promotional material to attract new members, 1 page, [1947-1988].
- 'India's Connection with the Royal Asiatic Society' - typed list of the ways in which India has close links with the Society, 1 page [1962-1963].
- 'A History of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1823-1998'- typed lists of Presidents, Directors, Treasurers, Honorary Treasurers, Librarians, Honorary Librarians, Secretaries, Honorary Secretaries, Secretaries and Librarians, Honorary Editors, Honorary Reviews Editors, Gold Medallists, Burton Memorial Medallists and Sinor Medal for Inner Asian Studies, 6 pages [1998].
- 'The Relaunch of the Royal Asiatic Society' by Professor Anthony Stockwell, published in Newsletter 46 of the International Institute for Asian Affairs, Winter 2008.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English