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

Craigie Aitchison

Craigie Aitchison

Born Edinburgh. Studied law at Middle Temple in 1948 and then in 1950 returned to Edinburgh to paint. Back in London 1952-4 at the Slade School. He returned to Scotland, but in 1963 he moved to the...

Person, Art, Scotland

1 memorial
Peter Paul Rubens

Peter Paul Rubens

Artist and diplomat. Born in Siegen, Westphalia (modern day Germany). He studied art in Antwerp and Venice, and entered the service of Vincenzo Gonzago, Duke of Mantua, where he began a parallel ca...

Person, Art, Politics & Administration, Seriously Famous, Belgium, Germany, Italy

3 memorials
Eric Ravilious

Eric Ravilious

Artist and Designer. Born Eric William Ravilious, at Acton, (He claimed his surname was of Huguenot origin). Studied at the Eastbourne School of Art and at the Design School of the Royal College of...

Person, Art

2 memorials
Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones

Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones

Born Aberdeen. Winner of the Prix de Rome. Other work in London includes the 1963 Joy of Life group in the Hyde Park fountain, pictured by Ornamental Passions.

Person, Art, Sculpture, Scotland

1 memorial
Frederick Richard Pickersgill

Frederick Richard Pickersgill

History painter.  Born London (probably 6 Northampton Street).   From about 1888 he lived at The Towers, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, where he died.

Person, Art

1 memorial