International Union for Oriental and Asian Studies

Scope and Content

The International Union of Orientalists was founded in September 1951 in Istanbul at the International Congress of Orientalists. It was renamed in 1973 as the International Union for Oriental and Asian Studies. This material covers the interaction of the Royal Asiatic Society with the Union in the time period 1951-1977.

Administrative / Biographical History

The International Union of Oriental and Asian Studies was founded in 1951 at the International Congress of Orientalists as the International Union of Orientalists. It was renamed in 1973. It acts as a union of researchers specialized in the Orient and Asian civilizations, and supporting various activities in this field, such as the links with the congresses of Orientalists and encouraging international meetings, organization of research and publications. As the International Congress of Orientalists, currently called the International Congress of Asian and North African Studies has no permanent body or board, IUOS is responsible for continuity between Congresses, while having also an advisory role.

The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was founded by the eminent Sanskrit scholar Sir Henry Thomas Colebrooke on the 15th March 1823. It received its Royal Charter from King George IV on the 11th August 1824 'for the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia'. It continues as a forum for those who are interested in the languages, cultures and history of Asia to meet and exchange ideas.

Arrangement

The material was divided into series thus:

  • IUO/1 - Inauguration of Union
  • IUO/2 - Assembly 1957
  • IUO/3 - Assembly 1964
  • IUO/4 - Meeting of the Bureau 1965
  • IUO/6 - Administration 1965-1977

Access Information

Open. Please contact the archivist using the email address given here. The archive is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-5, and Thursdays 2-5. Access is to any researcher without appointment but it will help if an appointment is made via phone or email. Please bring photo ID.

Acquisition Information

These are part of the institutional archives of the Society.

Archivist's Note

This material was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2019.

Conditions Governing Use

Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.

Custodial History

These form part of the institutional archives of the Royal Asiatic Society and have been collated through its history in its interaction with the International Union of Oriental and Asian Studies.

Related Material

The Council Minutes of the Royal Asiatic Society will contain further information regarding the Society's interaction with the International Union of Oriental and Asian studies.