Science in 1900 London: The Society of Antiquarians
Arthur H. Beavan continued his survey of science in Imperial London, published in 1901, with this discussion of the Society of Antiquarians:
Somerset House was the headquarters
of the Society of Antiquarians until 1874, when it moved to rooms on the left
side of the Burlington House quadrangle.
As regards its foundation in 1572, it is the oldest Society in London, but it
was not incorporated until 1717.
It has a valuable library, containing wonderful topographical and archaeological
works, besides rare prints of Old London, and MSS., and original letters of eighteenth-century
literary men; it also possesses some curious old paintings.
Its transactions, published annually, date from 1770, and are of great interest,
containing papers on an infinite variety of subjects antiquarian.
To be an "Antiquarian" was, and still is, considered a somewhat exceptional
honour.
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