Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch

Scope and Content

This material was collated in the interactions between the Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch and the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. It consists mainly of correspondence between the Societies, and newsletters and publications details of the Korea Branch.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch applied to be an Associate Society in 1900 and this was approved in January 1901. As such, it is the oldest organization in Korea designed to introduce people to Korea in all its many aspects. Its early history was somewhat disrupted due to political difficulties but it has been continuously active since 1956. It remains an active international cultural and social organization in Korea.

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

Three series were created for Correspondence, for Newsletters, and for Publications, Membership and History.

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

Related Material

The Transactions of the Korea Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society form part of the Library Collections. More details can be found here.