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.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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 ...

Read More

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.

Read More

Fanny Burney

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

Read More

Garrick plaque - gone

David Garrick, actor, lived here. B: 1716. D: 1779. {Almost hidden in the dec...

Read More

George Cruikshank

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

Read More

Harry Vane

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

Read More

Other Subjects

Carmody and Groarke

Carmody and Groarke

Architectural practice of Kevin Carmody (from Melbourne) and Andrew Groarke (from Manchester), formed in 2005.

Group, Architecture, Art, Australia

2 memorials
Max Beerbohm

Max Beerbohm

Caricaturist and writer. Born 57 Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington. In the Oscar Wilde circle of friends. He became successful and famous at aged 24, but never rich. Half brother and cousin to He...

Person, Art, Literature

2 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
Led by Donkeys

Led by Donkeys

From their Facebook page: "Art, activism and accountability. All our work is funded by the public, no big donors."

Group, Art, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
John Hungerford Pollen

John Hungerford Pollen

Decorative artist. Born 6 New Burlington Street to Richard and Anne, sister to Charles Cockerell. Ordained as an Anglican priest in 1845, but converted to Roman Catholicism in1852. He worked on man...

Person, Art

1 memorial