Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong

Scope and Content

This material was collated in the interactions between the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong and the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. It consists mainly of correspondence, newsletters and Rules of the Hong Kong Branch.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong was founded in 1847, growing out of a Medico-Chirurgical Society founded in 1845. It ceased to exist in 1859. However in 1959, it was re-established with the Inaugural Meeting held on April 7, 1960, in the Loke Yew Hall of the University of Hong Kong. It still exists to encourage an active interest in East Asia, and in Hong Kong in particular, through lectures and discussions, overseas visits, and by publishing an annual Journal.

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 chronological series.

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

The material is part of the institutional records of the Society from its dealings with other organisations.

Archivist's Note

The matterial 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 papers were sent and received by the Royal Asiatic Society in the course of its business.

Related Material

The Journal of the Hong Kong Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society forms part of this Society's Collections. More details can be found here.

Geographical Names