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.

Information from Soane Museum and ODNB.

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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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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House of Royal Soc. for Encouragement of Arts etc

The House of Royal Soc. for Encouragement of Arts Manufactures and Commerce. ...

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Other Subjects

Henry Wyndham Phillips

Henry Wyndham Phillips

Portrait painter. The Artist Rifles was formed at his studio, 1860.  Died Sydenham.

Person, Art

1 memorial
Philip de Laszlo

Philip de Laszlo

Painter. Born Budapest.  In 1907 moved to London and stayed, though he often travelled for portrait commissions which included many royal families. His good relations with what became the enemy in...

Person, Art, Hungary

1 memorial
Walter Sickert

Walter Sickert

Considered the most influential English painter since Turner. Born Munich, eldest son of a Danish artist and French-educated English mother. His family moved to England when he was 8. Trained as an...

Person, Art, Jack the Ripper suspects

3 memorials
Donald McGill

Donald McGill

Cartoonist. Born Donald Fraser Gould McGill in (depending on source), 46 Park Street, Regent's Park or Blackheath. He started work as a naval draughtsman, but began illustrating postcards when a re...

Person, Art

2 memorials
B. P. Arnold

B. P. Arnold

Bernard Philip Arnold M.M., was born on 30 May 1893 in Birmingham, Warwickshire. He was one of the five children of Edward Alexander Arnold (1860-1908) and Osburga Arnold née Smallwood (1856-1936)....

Person, Art, Sculpture

8 memorials