Before Burlington House
The Society was founded in 1707 and originally existed as a peripatetic organisation, meeting in taverns in and around the Strand – originally the Bear and after its reconstitution in 1717 mostly in the Mitre – but were soon desirous of a permanent home. In 1726 the Society rented a room in Gray’s Inn, but this proved unsuccessful and they returned to the Mitre in 1729.
Minutes of meeting, 4 January 1727, including mention of the first meeting at Captain Floyer’s chambers in Gray’s Inn.
A series of events finally brought to a head the need for a building to call their own. In late 1749 Lord Coleraine had bequeathed to the Society his collections of prints and drawings. However, as the Society was not incorporated it could not legally received donations. It was thus, eventually, granted a Royal Charter in 1751, which meant it could now hold property.
An interlude in Robin’s Coffee House in Chancery Lane followed from 1753, which at least provided a secure space for the growing library. In 1775 it was first mooted that the Society be granted apartments in the newly constructed Somerset House, In 1781 it moved there, joining the Royal Society and the Royal Academy, in rooms now used by the Courtauld Gallery.
Meeting of the Society of Antiquaries at Somerset House, engraved by H S Melville from the drawing by F W Fairholt. The image shows numerous objects that can now be found in Burlington House, including one of the chandeliers now on the ground floor, some of the paintings now in the Meeting Room and along the main stairs, and the marble bust of George III.
The time in Somerset House proved to be fruitful for the Society. Its collections grew significantly, with acquisitions of manuscripts, books and archaeological finds; the Fellowship reached over 800 in the early 19th century and a few decades later several important exhibitions were held there.
However, the government’s increasing need to accommodate its ciivil servants led to the Society gradually losing more and more of its space in Somerset House, and eventually it joined the other learned societies in leaving for Piccadilly.
Satirical print by George Cruickshank of the Society of Antiquaries, with Lord Aberdeen in the chair, 1812
The move
A move to Burlington House, where the Royal Society was already installed, was first suggested in 1856, but the Society decided against it, although the other learned societies in Somerset House agreed to move. Instead, the Society attempted to negotiate with the Government about its accommodation either in Somerset House or later elsewhere.
However, in November 1866 the pressure exerted by the Government in the rooms inhabited by the Society persuaded Council to agree to the suggestion of leaving Somerset House for Piccadilly, A committee was established to deal with the architects, Banks and Barry, to design the new accommodation according to the Society’s requirements.
While the Library benefitted from the move to Burlington House, acquiring a purpose-built space over multiple floors, what had been the Society’s Museum in Somerset House was not able to be accommodated in the new building. Many of the items in the collection were given to the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and other institutions, as there was no longer the space to exhibit them.
Circular advising Fellows of the closure of the Library due to the move, 1874
The minutes of the meeting on 25 June 1874 optimistically state “The Meetings of the Society were adjourned to Thursday Nov. 26th subject to any further adjournment which might be rendered necessary by the removal of the Society to Burlington House.”
In the end, the move from Somerset House, including negotiations about furniture and fittings, took from October to December 1874. No meeting was held until 14 January 1875, the first in Burlington House. The President addressed the Fellows with a hearty welcome to their new apartments: “You will find those apartments, I venture to hope, both handsome and commodious. The Library … may justly … deserve the praise of architectural beauty.”
Programme of the first meetings in Burlington House, 1875
The interior of the Library frequently reflects technological advancements and habits of readers – while the fittings for gas lights are still visible, electric lighting has been introduced. We no longer allow ink wells on the desks, nor do we have rugs on a linoleum floor.
Photograph of the Library, 1931
Collections
The move to Burlington House initially somewhat alleviated the space constraints on the library. In 1859 the Society had requested of the architects a library of 60 ft by 40 ft – the current ground floor of the library measures 1957 sq ft, with additional gallery space and further storage in the basement and elsewhere, but it is being outgrown nonetheless.
Part of the challenge in the 19th century were bequests by Fellows of large parts of their own collections, notably Albert Way (1874), A W Franks (1897) and 2,400 volumes received from Arthur Ashpitel in 1869, the largest ever bequest received by the Society.
Library rules, 1917
In the late 19th and early 20th century the Society took advantage of the space at Burlington House to exhibit its own possessions as well as themed collections of material from around the country.
Catalogues of exhibitions of bronze implements and weapons (1873) medieval paintings and illuminated manuscripts (1896), English medieval alabaster work (1910).
During World War II there was concern for the safety of the Society’s collections. Over 1400 volumes and 34 cases of pictures, books, manuscripts and objects were divided into “irreplaceable” or “useful” categories, with the former urgently removed from the building to more secure locations. While some went in the Underground, many were taken in by institutions such as Shrewsbury School and the National Museum of Wales, or individuals who owned large estates.
Those items that remained on-site were moved into the library alcoves and covered with dust sheets. In April 1941 the glass of the roof and most of the windows of the Library was broken in an air raid, but the damage was minimal.
Letter from the Society to Viscount Lee of Fareham, 1941
150 Years of Change
Until William St John Hope retired in 1910, the Assistant Secretary had lived in Burlington House, in rooms that are now the Inner Library (which was the Assistant Secretary’s drawing room) and staff offices. Depending on the personality of the office holder, they would also frequently entertain, hosting both exhibitions and evening parties.
Part of plan of the principal (first) floor by architects Banks & Barry, 1869
The Society elected its first woman President, Dame Joan Evans, in 1959. As well as publishing on numerous aspects of art history, she wrote the Society’s official history, which remains a valuable source for researchers.
Lego figurine representing Gill Andrews as President of the Society (2014-18), holding the ceremonial mace.
One of the major changes in the last 150 years has been the admittance of women to the Fellowship in 1920as a direct result of legislation following the First World War. In the first instance, carefully chosen women were nominated as Honorary Fellows, with Rose Graham and Eugénie Strong elected on 3 June 1920.
File copy of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act of 1919, with typescript suggestions by Sir Martin Conway, Vice-President of the Society, including that there ought to be a category of ‘Members’ of the Society for which women would be eligible without further qualification.
In recent years the Society has strived to open its doors to a far wider audience. This has included the launch of the Affiliate Scheme, Open House Fridays and work with schools and community groups.
“Royal Me” self-portrait by a Key Stage 2 pupil as part of a holiday play scheme at a primary school in north London, taking inspiration from the Society’s collection of Tudor portraits.
The future
We are delighted to have just completed signing a 999-year lease in November 2024, so here is to many more years at Burlington House!