Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland facts for kids
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| Formation | 15 March 1823 |
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| Founder | Henry Thomas Colebrooke |
| Type | UK registered charity |
| Headquarters | 14 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2HD, England, United Kingdom |
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Patron
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King Charles III |
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President
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Norbert Peabody |
The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, often called the Royal Asiatic Society, is a special group in the United Kingdom. It was created to help people learn more about Asia. This includes its science, literature, and arts.
Since it started, the society has been a place for experts to share their knowledge. They do this through talks, a journal, and other publications. It is the oldest and most important group in the UK focused on Asian studies. People who are chosen to be part of the society are called Fellows. They are usually very skilled scholars who study Asia. They can use the letters FRAS after their names.
Contents
History of the Royal Asiatic Society
The Royal Asiatic Society began in London in 1823. The very first meeting happened on March 15, 1823. Henry Thomas Colebrooke led this meeting. At this meeting, they chose their first president, Charles Williams-Wynn. They also decided the group would be called the Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Later that year, King George IV agreed to support the society. He also allowed them to add "Royal" to their name. So, it became the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The society officially received its special document, called a royal charter, on August 11, 1824.
Why the Society Was Formed
A group of important scholars and government workers started the Royal Asiatic Society. They wanted it to be like the Asiatic Society of Calcutta in India. That society was founded in 1784 by Sir William Jones, who was a famous scholar of Sanskrit (an ancient Indian language).
Henry Thomas Colebrooke was a key person in starting the Royal Asiatic Society. He was also a Sanskrit expert and had been president of the Asiatic Society of Calcutta. Another important founder was Sir George Staunton, 2nd Baronet. He was a diplomat who spoke Chinese and had worked in China.
Focus on Asia
Because of its early connections with the British Empire in the East, much of the society's work focused on India. However, the society's interests go far beyond India. They include all of Asia, parts of Islamic North Africa, and Ethiopia.
The society usually does not focus on very recent political events. This led to another group, the Central Asian Society, being formed later. After World War II, when Britain's influence in Asia changed, the society continued its academic focus on Asia.
Lectures and Learning
The society regularly holds talks at its offices. These talks are usually free to attend. Many past lectures can be watched or listened to online.
Members and Fellows of the Society
When the society first started, members had different titles. These included Members (MRAS) and Honorary Members. By the 1870s, some members began using the letters FRAS. This meant they were "Fellows" of the society.
This use of FRAS continued for many years. In 1967, the society officially started calling its members "fellows." As of 2019, members are called "fellows" or "student fellows." While the society doesn't officially give out the FRAS letters in its rules, many important books and scholars recognize them.
Famous Fellows
Many famous people have been members or fellows of the society. These include:
- Rabindranath Tagore (a famous poet)
- Sir Aurel Stein (an explorer)
- Sir Wilfred Thesiger (a traveler)
- George V. Tsereteli (an orientalist)
Branches Around the World
The Royal Asiatic Society has partner societies in different countries.
Branches in India
It is connected with societies in India, such as:
- Calcutta
- Mumbai
- Bangalore
- Madras
- Bihar
The former branch in Mumbai is now known as the Asiatic Society of Mumbai.
Other International Branches
The society also has connections with:
- Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka
- Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong (started in 1847)
- Asiatic Society of Japan (started in 1875)
- Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (started in 1877)
- Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch (started in 1900)
- Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (started in 1952)
In China, the former South China Branch is now the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong. The North China branch, which started in 1857, was re-established in 2006 in Shanghai. It also has smaller groups in Suzhou and Beijing.
Library and Archives
The society's library holds many important materials. These range from the 12th century up to today. You can visit the library's Reading Room in London to see these collections. The society also has a Digital Library, which means you can access some materials online.
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society is a scholarly magazine. It is published four times a year by Cambridge University Press. Each issue contains academic essays and book reviews.
The journal has been published under its current name since 1991. Before that, it had different names, like Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (1834–1991). The current editor is Daud Ali from the University of Pennsylvania. The articles in the journal are carefully checked by other experts before they are published.
Oriental Translation Fund
This fund was started in 1828. Its goal was to help publish translations of important old texts. The fund continues its work today, helping scholars with their research.
Royal Asiatic Society Prizes and Awards
The Royal Asiatic Society gives out several prizes and awards to recognize great work.
- The Sir George Staunton Prize: Given to a young scholar for an article about Asia's history, art, language, or religion.
- The Surya P. Subedi Prize: An annual award for a publication about Nepal.
- The Charles H. Norchi Prize: An annual award for a book about Afghanistan.
- The Professor Mary Boyce Prize: For studies on religion in Asia.
- The David Morgan Memorial Prize: For an article published in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society by a recent PhD graduate.
- The Royal Asiatic Society’s New Barwis-Holliday Award: For new, unpublished research on East Asia's history, art, or religion.
- The Royal Asiatic Society Award: Given every three years for Asian Studies. This award replaced the Royal Asiatic Society Gold Medal.
- The Sir Richard Burton Medal: Awarded to scholars and travelers in Asia.
- The Denis Sinor Medal: For studies on Inner Asia.
- The James J. Busuttil Medal and Prize: An annual silver medal and prize for a book on human rights.
Current President
As of 2024, the President of the Royal Asiatic Society is Norbert Peabody. The Vice-President is Gordon Johnson.
Past Presidents
- 2021–2024 Sarah Ansari
- 2018–2021 Anthony Stockwell (3rd term)
- 2015-2018 Gordon Johnson (2nd term)
- 2012–2015 Peter Robb
- 2009–2012 Gordon Johnson
- 2006–2009 Anthony Stockwell (2nd term)
- 2003–2006 Francis Robinson (2nd term)
- 2000–2003 Anthony Stockwell
- 1997–2000 Francis Robinson
- 1993–1997 David W. MacDowall
- 1990–1993 Adrian David Hugh Bivar
- 1988–1990 Frank Steele
- 1979–1988 Sir Cyril Philips
- 1976–1979 Charles Fraser Beckingham (2nd term)
- 1973–1976 E.H.S. Simmonds
- 1970–1973 Basil William Robinson
- 1967–1970 Charles Fraser Beckingham
- 1964–1967 Sir Harold Walter Bailey
- 1961–1964 Sir Richard Olaf Winstedt (4th term)
- 1958–1961 Gerard L.M. Clauson
- 1955–1958 Sir Richard Olaf Winstedt (3rd term)
- 1952–1955 Sir Ralph Lilley Turner
- 1949–1952 Sir Richard Olaf Winstedt (2nd term)
- 1946–1949 Roger Lumley, 11th Earl of Scarbrough
- 1943–1946 Sir Richard Olaf Winstedt
- 1940–1943 Herbert Samuel, 1st Viscount Samuel
- 1939–1940 Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon
- 1937–1939 Malcolm Hailey, 1st Baron Hailey
- 1934–1937 David Samuel Margoliouth
- 1931–1934 Edward Douglas Maclagan (2nd term)
- 1928–1931 Lawrence Dundas, 2nd Marquess of Zetland
- 1925–1928 Edward Douglas Maclagan
- 1922–1925 Robert Chalmers, 1st Baron Chalmers
- 1921–1922 Richard Carnac Temple
- 1893–1921 Donald James Mackay, 11th Lord Reay
- 1890–1893 Thomas George Baring
- 1887–1890 Thomas Francis Wade
- 1884–1887 William Muir
- 1882–1884 Sir Henry Bartle Frere (2nd term)
- 1881 Sir Thomas Edward Colebrooke (3rd term)
- 1878–1881 Henry Creswicke Rawlinson (2nd term)
- 1875–1878 Sir Thomas Edward Colebrooke (2nd term)
- 1872–1875 Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere
- 1869–1871 Henry Creswicke Rawlinson
- 1867–1869 Percy Smythe, 8th Viscount Strangford (2nd term)
- 1864–1867 Sir Thomas Edward Colebrooke
- 1861–1864 Percy Smythe, 8th Viscount Strangford
- 1858 William Henry Sykes
- 1855–1858 Horace Hayman Wilson
- 1852–1855 William Baring, 2nd Baron Ashburton
- 1849–1852 Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere
- 1843–1849 George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland
- 1842–1843 William Vesey-FitzGerald, 2nd Baron FitzGerald and Vesey (died in office)
- 1841–1842 George FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster (died in office)
- 1823–1841 Charles Williams-Wynn
See also
- Fellows of The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland
- Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society
- Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka
- Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch
- Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch
- Royal Asiatic Society China
