Group    From 1754 

Royal Society of Arts

Categories: Art, Commerce

Founded by William Shipley as the "Society of Arts" in Rawthmell's Coffee House. They carried on meeting in coffee houses and taverns but as the society grew they needed more space. Shipley rented a house in Craig's Court, SW1 and In February 1755 he rented out two rooms to the society. June 1756 the society moved to a house in Castle Court, Strand. In 1759 they purchased the lease of a warehouse in Denmark Court, north of the Strand and Sir William Chambers altered it to meet their needs.

They then had the building in the Adelphi built by the Adam brothers for their use, 18 John Street, now 8 John Adam Street.

In 1908 the society was granted permission to add "Royal" to the name.

Initiated the blue plaque scheme in 1866, now run by English Heritage.

Information from Soane Museum and ODNB.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Royal Society of Arts

Commemorated ati

William Shipley

This plaque commemorates the tercentenary of Shipley's birth and the site of ...

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This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Royal Society of Arts

Creations i

Dickens plaque - EC1

But he did not live in the building here today, he lived in Furnival's Inn.

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Fanny Burney

Erected in 1885 this is the oldest surviving "blue" plaque to a woman.

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Garrick plaque - gone

Garrick died in this house.

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George Cruikshank

George Cruikshank, artist, lived here, from 1850 to 1878. B: Sept.27th 1792....

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Harry Vane

Sir Harry Vane, statesman, lived here. Born 1612. Beheaded 1662. {Almost hid...

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Other Subjects

Lee Miller

Lee Miller

Fashion model and photographer.  Born New York. Worked closely with Man Ray in Paris and worked within the surrealist movement, starring in Jean Cocteau's film "Le sang d'un poète". Married an Egyp...

Person, Art, Egypt, France, USA

1 memorial
Joseph William Comyns Carr

Joseph William Comyns Carr

Born 47 Devonshire Street. Author, gallery director and theatre manager. In 1877 he became co-director of the Grosvenor Gallery in Bond Street, which promoted the work of the Pre-Raphaelite Brother...

Person, Art, Literature, Museums / Libraries, Theatre

1 memorial
Sir Osbert Lancaster

Sir Osbert Lancaster

Cartoonist and writer. Son of Robert, grandson of Sir William, he was born at the Notting Hill house with the plaque. At Oxford University he became friends with Betjeman and after art school worke...

Person, Art, Humour

1 memorial
Edward Armitage

Edward Armitage

Painter.  Born Tavistock Square and died Tunbridge Wells.  The picture is a self-portrait. On the Albert Hall frieze Armitage contributed two of the sixteen sections: 'Princes, Art Patrons and Art...

Person, Art

1 memorial
Sir William Orpen

Sir William Orpen

Painter. Born William Newenham Montague Orpen at Oriel, Blackrock, County Dublin. He was an official artist in World War I and attended the Versailles Peace Conference. Deeply affected by the suffe...

Person, Art, Ireland

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Fred Passenger

Fred Passenger

Worked as a decorator with William De Morgan. During 1898-1907 was a partner with De Morgan, Frank Iles and Charles Passenger at Sands End, Fulham. De Morgan retired from potting in 1905 and the Fu...

Person, Craft / Design

1 memorial