Society for Old Testament Study

Correspondence concerning a special meeting to be held from 20-23 September 1938, at Keble College, Oxford, to celebrate the twenty-first anniversary of the founding of the Society for Old Testament Study. These are:

• Letter from Theodore H. Robinson, Secretary, Society for Old Testament Study, to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform concerning the special meeting at which several Honorary Members will read papers alongside distinguished British scholars. He asks for the Royal Asiatic Society to be represented at the meeting. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 16 June 1938.
• Letter from Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Dr M. Gaster to ask, on behalf of the Council, whether he would consider being the Society's representative at the special meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study. Typed, dated 15 July 1938.
• Letter from Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Dr A. Guillaume to ask, on behalf of the Council, whether he would consider being the Society's representative at the special meeting of the Society for Old Testament Study. Typed, dated 15 July 1938.
• Letter from Dr A. Guillaume to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to express his honour in being the Society's representative. He states that he may have difficulties attending the whole Conference due to duties as the Bishop's chaplain. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 16 July 1938.
• Letter from Dr M. Gaster to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that he would be happy to act as the Delegate of the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed, dated 18 July 1938.
• Postcard from Dr A. Guillaume to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that he has managed to be freed from his duties and will therefore accept the honour of representing the Royal Asiatic Society. Handwritten with printed letterhead, dated 27 July 1938.
• Letter from Dr A. Guillaume to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that he has not had any communication from the Society for Old Testament Study. If Col. Hoysted has been sent any notice could it be forwarded to Guillaume. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 16 September 1938.
• Letter from Theodore H. Robinson, Secretary, Society for Old Testament Study, to Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to state that he does not seem to have had a reply concerning the representative for the Royal Asiatic Society. Handwritten with printed letterhead, dated 18 September 1938.
• Letter on behalf of Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Theodore Robinson to state that Professor Guillaume will represent the Society. Typed, dated 19 September 1938.
• Letter on behalf of Colonel Hoysted, Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, to Dr A. Guillaume to enclose the programme for the meeting and apologise for him not receiving one sooner. Typed, dated 19 September 1938.

The Society for Old Testament Study (SOTS) is a learned society, based in the British Isles, of professional scholars and others committed to the study of the Old Testament. It was founded in 1917. In September 1938 it held its 'Coming of Age Meeting', at Keble College, Oxford. It continues to this day.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

The Society also holds the publication of the Essays read at the Special meeting at Keble College, Oxford. More details can be found in our Library catalogue .