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.
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The Royal Asiatic Society leased 74 Grosvenor Street from 1920 to 1947. These papers include those for the negotiation of taking up the lease, for possibility lease of different premises, for wartime damage insurance contributions, for the expediency of leaving the premises. There is also a photograph of 74 Grosvenor Street of unknown date.
The material was arranged into series:
* RAS PROP4/1 - Leasing 74 Grosvenor Street
* RAS PROP4/2 - Possible Lease of Farm House
* RAS PROP4/3 - War Damage Insurance Contributions
* RAS PROP4/4 - Director's Note on the Financial Aspect of the Society's Removal
* RAS PROP4/5 - Photograph
These are part of the institutional records of the Royal Asiatic Society which have been accumulated throughout its history.
These records are part of the Royal Asiatic Society's Institutional Records and therefore part of the historical records of the Society.
This material was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2019.
The Minutes of the Council Meetings provide evidence of the decisions being taken regarding the leasing of this property and the attempts to find finance and support for premises.
The chapter, "A History of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1823-1973" by C.F. Beckingham, within "The Royal Asiatic Society: Its History and Treasures", edited by Stuart Simmonds and Simon Digby, published 1979, provides further information regarding the history of the Society's premises.
Open. 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
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.
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Correspondence and notes concerning negotiations to lease 74 Grosvenor Street
The material was divided into files:
* RAS PROP4/1/1 - Negotiations regarding the leasing the property
* RAS PROP4/1/2 - Negotiations regarding sub-letting
* RAS PROP4/1/3 - Signing the lease
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Correspondence and notes regarding the possibility of leasing 74 Grosvenor Street. The correspondence is mainly between the Royal Asiatic Society, their solicitors T.L. Wilson & Co, concerning the negotiations with Westminster Estate's solicitors, Messrs Boodle & Co.
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Correspondence and notes regarding the terms under which the Royal Asiatic Society would be able to sub-let part of 74 Grosvenor Street. The correspondence is mostly between the Royal Asiatic Society and their Solicitors, T.L. Wilson and Co.
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Correspondence and notes regarding signing the lease and moving into the premises. The correspondence is mainly between the Royal Asiatic Society and their Solicitors, T.L. Wilson and Co.
Sir Edward Douglas Maclagan was a colonial administrator in India. Maclagan wrote widely about the Punjab area and in 1906 he was appointed Chief Secretary to the Government of the Punjab, becoming, in 1910, Secretary to the Revenue Department of the Indian Government and, from 1915 to 1918, Secretary to the Education Department. He became Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab in 1919 and Governor from 1921 to 1924. Concurrently from 1919-1924 he was Chancellor of University of the Punjab. He returned to England in 1924. From 1925 to 1928 and 1931 to 1934 he was President of the Royal Asiatic Society, and in 1930, its Director.
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It appears that in 1939 the Royal Asiatic Society were looking at different options for their premises. There are two items of correspondence:
* Letter from Col. D.M.F. Hoysted, RAS Secretary, to Sir Edward Maclagan to inform that the freeholder's Solicitors have approved of the Society leasing Farm House. He encloses a financial statement and will seek Mr Perowne's advice (RAS Treasurer). Dated 14 July 1939.
* Letter from Edward Maclagan to Col. Hoysted to discuss the figures and to suggest that it doesn't go before the Committee before he has heard from Mr Perowne. Dated 15 July 1939.
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Correspondence concerning the payment of War Damage Insurance Contributions by the Royal Asiatic Society for 74 Grosvenor Street. The correspondence is mainly between the Royal Asiatic Society, their Solicitors T.L. Wilson & Co., the freeholder's solicitor, Boodle, Hatfield & Co., Lloyd's Bank, and H.M. Inspector of Taxes. There are also two items of printed material explaining the War damage Insurance Scheme.
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Two copies of the Director's Note on the Financial Aspect of the Society's Removal from 74 Grosvenor Street to 56 Queen Anne Street, laying out the costs involved. One copy has been annotated by hand.
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Two copies of photograph of the frontage of 74 Grosvenor Street, one of which is mounted on board. Of unknown date.
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This file contains documents relating to building works planned or carried out at the Society’s premises at 74 Grosvenor Road. The material consists primarily of correspondence between Colonel Hoysted, RAS Secretary; E. S. M. Perowne, Honorary Treasurer; D. H. Brammal, solicitor; building tenants; and various service providers regarding specific works, including:
* Two letters with Haymarket & City Window Cleaning Co. regarding the provision of cleaning services. Typed, 2 pieces, dated 30 November-2 December 1931.
* Three letters with Messrs H. & E. Lea Ltd. regarding drainage work to be executed at the Society following the inspection by the London Sanitary Protection Association. With the letters is an estimate from R. Dallyn Son & Stoner. Typed, 4 pieces, dated 31 July-10 August 1931.
* Documents relating to building works to be executed at certain basement rooms of the building used for accommodation of a caretaker. These include a letter to E. S. M. Perowne, regarding recolouring and painting of the room; letters from builders Messrs H. & E. Lea Ltd. and W. H. Lambert & Sons providing estimates for the works; and two specifications of works supplied by Messrs H. & E. Lea Ltd. Typed, 10 pieces, dated 28 September-10 October 1931.
* Three letters with Messrs H. & E. Lea Ltd. regarding ceiling work to be executed at the ‘Musicians Room’ on the 2nd floor of the building. With the letters is an estimate supplied by the same. Typed, 4 pieces, dated 10-13 October 1931.
* Two sets of specification of various works proposed to be executed at different locations of the building, supplied by Messrs. H & E Lea Ltd. in July 1931 and May 1933 respectively. These include washing and painting railings, preparing and erecting shelf fitting, and staining woodwork, etc. Typed, 4 pieces.
* Two letters with United Vacuum Cleaner Company regarding the provision of cleaning services. Typed, 2 pieces, dated 29-30 June 1932.
* Three letters with Messrs H. & E. Lea Ltd. regarding drainage and sink works to be executed at the top flat of the building. Typed, 3 pieces, dated 8-12 December 1933.
* Documents relating to electrical works to be executed at the top flat of the building occupied by tenant Mrs G. D. Sword. These include letters from a builder and electrical engineer reporting on the issue and providing estimates for the works, letters with E. S. M. Perowne regarding conducting an inspection of the whole building, a letter to Mr Bramall clarifying the responsibility for conducting re-wiring work, letters with Mrs Sword regarding further issues of her flat, letters with Ellis & Ward Ltd for carrying out such works, a tender for electrical bells, and a report on the electrical installation of the Society. Typed and handwritten, 24 pieces and 2 paper files, dated 19 October 1933–27 July 1934.
* Two letters with Beau Brummel Ltd. regarding carpet cleaning, with an estimate listing the type and size of each carpet at each location in the building. Typed, 4 pieces, dated 12-17 July 1934.
* Documents relating to proposed alterations in Room 6, newly let to the tenant and member Miss Helen Carey, as well as works in other basement rooms, chiefly concerning shelving. These include correspondence with the builder Ernest Setchell and estimates supplied by the company; a pencil plan of the Pamphlet Room; a letter to the solicitor regarding drafting an agreement; and several handwritten notes. Typed and handwritten, 11 pieces, dated 18 January-3 February 1936.
* Documents relating to the replacement of the existing gas cooking stove with a new model. These include a letter from E. S. M. Perowne giving his views and multiple letters with the Gas Light and Coke Company regarding the new model and the cost involved. With the letters are several agreements for hire of apparatus of the company and some handwritten notes. Typed and handwritten, 21 pieces, dated 31 October-24 November 1936.
* Letter from architect Frederick J. Gibbins offering suggestions for fixing book racks at the bottom of the staircase well to provide additional book storage within the building. Typed, 2 pieces, dated 1 April 1936.
* Four letters with Messrs. H. & E. Lea Ltd. regarding the provision of shelving in the Library for the sum of £17. Typed, 6 pieces, dated 3 November 1937-14 February 1938.
* Six letters with the London Sanitary Protection Association, regarding arranging inspection of the drainage system of the Society. With the letters are two copies of a printed memorandum as to the necessity of periodical inspection. Typed, 9 pieces, dated 28 June 1935-30 June 1938.
These papers form part of the Society’s institutional records, but at some point in their history they came into the possession of the Royal Anthropological Institute, probably during the 1980s when the Institute was a tenant at the Society's premises at 56 Queen Anne Street. They were transferred back from the Institute to the Society in March 2026.
These items were catalogued by James Liu, RAS Archivist, in March 2026.
Open. Please contact the Archivist.
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A floor plan of 74 Grosvenor Street showing the second floor and the attic, drawn by architect B. H. Jackson at Eagle House, Wimbledon. The plan includes pencil annotations indicating some of the tenants occupying the rooms, including the Japan Society and the Persian Society. The drawing is on tracing paper, which is very brittle and has disintegrated into several pieces.
This is part of the Society’s institutional records, but at some point in its history it came into the possession of the Royal Anthropological Institute. It was transferred back from the Institute to the Society in March 2026.
This item was catalogued by James Liu, RAS Archivist, in March 2026.
Open. Please contact the Archivist.