Science in 1900 London: The Society of Arts

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Arthur H. Beavan continued his survey of science in Imperial London, published in 1901, with this discussion of the Society of Arts:

The Society of Arts, John Street, Adelphi, first met in 1754 at a coffee-house in Henrietta Street, Covent Garden.

Later on, they had rooms over a library in Crane Court, Fleet Street; afterwards they went to Craig's Court, Charing Cross; next, to a house at the corner of Castle Court, Holborn; still later on, to a spot near Beaufort Buildings, Strand; and, finally, to its present location - a house built by the brothers Adam - in the year 1774.

Its aims, as stated in its Royal Charter, may be summarized as being "generally to assist in the advancement, development, and practical application of every department of science in connection with the arts, manufactures, and commerce of this country."

This Society was, in effect, the means of leading up to the realization of the Great Exhibition of 1851, and out of its earliest collections of pictures grew the annual display of the Royal Academy.

In its meeting-room are James Barry's decorative pictures, and in the other rooms there are portraits, etc, by Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds.

The library contains works chiefly upon technical subjects, and possesses a register of eighteenth-century inventions.

The lectures given here, and the meetings held when papers are read and discussed on subjects connected with applied science and art, are well worth attending, and generally interesting.

Next: Scientific London in 1900: The Society of Antiquarians