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

Christopher Whall

Christopher Whall

Stained glass artist, Born at The Rectory, Thurning, Huntingdonshire. His major stained glass works are in Gloucester and Canterbury Cathedrals and he influenced many artists in Britain and America...

Person, Art, Craft / Design

1 memorial
Sir Gerald Kelly

Sir Gerald Kelly

Portrait painter. Born Paddington. Died at home, 117 Gloucester Place. In the picture Kelly is the short man in specs.

Person, Art

3 memorials
Margaret MacDonald

Margaret MacDonald

Born Tipton, Staffordshire. Artist, one of the chief exponents of the ‘Glasgow Style’ of art. Married to Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The picture shows her seated in front of one of her works. Died 3...

Person, Art, Scotland

1 memorial
Kevin Atherton

Kevin Atherton

Sculptor and artist. Born Douglas, Isle of Man. After twenty years of living and working in Ireland he is now (2023) based in Hastings. His practice includes performance, sculpture, film and video,...

Person, Art, Sculpture, Ireland

1 memorial
Futurecity

Futurecity

From their website: "We add value to the built environment. We create alliances & build bridges. We put new places on the cultural map. We create distinct, memorable, marketable identity.

Group, Art, Commerce, Sculpture

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Lenin - Holford Gardens - bust

Lenin - Holford Gardens - bust

WC1, Holford Gardens, Bevin Court

This memorial was given to the people of Finsbury by the Russian Embassy in London and unveiled on Lenin's birthday. We understand that i...

1 subject commemorated, 3 creators
Freddy Randall

Freddy Randall

Trumpeter. Born in Clapton, East London. He led the St. Louis Four in 1939, and during the war played in a group featuring Sir John Dankworth. He also led his own Dixieland jazz group which feature...

Person, Music / songs

1 memorial
Pelham / Hobson's Place

Pelham / Hobson's Place

Our map of 1837 shows a street called Pelham Street. Possibly this became Pelham Place and then Hobson's Place before being built over by the Greater London Council in 1966.

Place, Property

1 memorial
Corporation of the City of London

Corporation of the City of London

The municipal governing body of the City of London. Officially the 'Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London'. In 2006 the name was changed from just 'Corporation of London' to disti...

Group, Commerce, Politics & Administration

185 memorials