visit: royalasiaticsociety.org

Search archive

Holdings

↑ Up one level

Diplomas for Membership

Identity area

Reference code

GB 891 RAS MEMB-RAS MEMB/5-RAS MEMB/5/4

Publication status

Published

Level of description

Subseries

Extent and medium

1 folder

Date(s)

  • 1823-1985 (Creation)

Context area

Name of creator

(1823-)

Biographical 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

Royal Asiatic Society Archives

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Since its establishment the Society has maintained the tradition of sending a diploma to a newly elected Honorary Member to commemorate their membership. Foreign and Corresponding Members, before these two types of membership went obsolete, were also sent diplomas. The practice of issuing its Honorary Members a diploma was suspended during and after the Second World War and was revived at the decision of the Council at the meeting on 14 April 1966. Records show that Fellows elected as early as in 1945 were also sent their diplomas retrospectively when this practice was revived. This sub-series contains copies of a diploma presumably intended for Foreign Members in 1820s, and several copies of a diploma dating from the pre-Second World War period, which were likely used as a template for the new design, and after 1969 when a new design was adopted.

Conditions of access and use area

← Back to results