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

Sir Edward John Poynter

Sir Edward John Poynter

History painter.  Born Paris but brought up in England.  Director of the National Gallery and President of the Royal Academy.  Died at his house and studio, 70 Addison Road, Kensington.

Person, Art

1 memorial
Renate Keeping

Renate Keeping

Artist. Born Renate Hannah Meyer in Berlin. Her family came as refugees to Britain in 1933. She married fellow artist Charles Keeping.

Person, Art, Germany

1 memorial
Dulwich Picture Gallery

Dulwich Picture Gallery

The oldest public art gallery in England, designed by Sir John Soane. Its acquisitions over the years have resulted in it becoming one of the country's finest collections of old masters, especially...

Place, Art

1 memorial
Charles Keeping

Charles Keeping

Illustrator. Born Charles William James Keeping in Lambeth. Initially he worked as an illustrator of children's books, and then undertook for the Folio Society, the massive task of illustrating all...

Person, Art

1 memorial
Gavin Turk

Gavin Turk

Artist. Born Guildford. One of the Young British Artists.

Person, Art

1 memorial

Previously viewed

William George King
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
The Chase - street party - wedding

The Chase - street party - wedding

SW4, The Chase

The marriage was on a Friday but it's not clear what day the party took place.

4 subjects commemorated, 1 creator