The Society's house was built as part of the Adelphi scheme by the Adam brothers. Items relating to the area have been collected by the Society, including engravings, drawings and photographs
The Council was established in 1846 with first its Chairmen, Edward Speer and George Bailey. The Council assumed full responsibility for the management of the Society. Chairmen of Council generally serve a two-year term of office. \nRecords include correspondence of Charles Wentworth Dilke and Lyon Playfair as well as general late 20th century correspondence and papers. earlier material can be found within AD.MA/100.
Corresponding members were first elected in 1755. Benjamin Franklin being one of the earliest.
This series includes information and images on works of art and other artefacts donated to the Society or purchased. An inventory of items is kept for insurance purposes\nThis series contains photographs and illustrations of objects and artefacts which have been donated to the Society or purchased by the Society as part of its collection.
This series comprises copy photographs of early views of the exterior of the Society's House from 1772 and of other premises occupied by the Society before this date. It also includes 20th century original images of the House, including the front and Strand elevations
Contains the minutes and papers of the following committees; the Membership Committee, the Regional Activities Committee and the Fellowship Committee.
A series of lectures established in the late 1990s to explore more controversial issues beyond the main lecture programme.
The lecture programme developed from the 1850s when the Society ceased the award of premiums for inventions. Lecture texts have traditionally been published in the Journal.\nRecords comprise correspondence about administrative arrangements for speakers and for publication of their texts and suggestions for topics for discussion
The Society's premises were designed and build by Robert and James Adam. The building has been extended and altered over the years. \nRecords concerned with the Society's building in John Adam Street from its design and construction by the Adam Brothers and including correspondence papers, notes, leases and other legal documents, administration, management, alteration and repair of the building
Various House Committees were set up at different times to look at the building, its use, function, administration and management.\nRecords include minutes of House committees and correspondence and papers. Later material can be found with AD.MA/300
This series comprises copy photographs of early prints and engravings of the interior of the Society's House including the Great Room and former Library room. Twentieth century photographs show alterations to the property and additions and extensions including the Vaults redevelopment of 1990
James Barry was born in 1741 and died in 1806. In 1777 Barry submitted a proposal to the Society to decorate the Great Room of its new premises. He offered to paint the whole room without fee, in return for canvas, paints and models. He began painting in April that year, and although he continued to alter the paintings until 1801, they were exhibited in 1783 and '84, with the proceeds going to Barry.\n\nBarry was his own publisher, and produced numerous works explaining the The Progress's symbolism, later editions of which contained appendices railing against his critics.\n\nIn 1782, Barry was elected to professor of painting at the Royal Academy, receiving a salary in return for six lectures a year. Barry used the position to engage with role of the artist in society, but went too far in putting forth his opinions and, together with his 1798 Letter to the Dilettanti Society's attacks on the state of arts patronage in England, angered the Academy was expelled in 1799. His was the Academy's only expulsion until Professor Brendan Neiland resigned in July 2004.\n\nThe Earl of Buchan came to Barry's aid after he lost his salary, paying expenses and moving him to a larger house so that he could finish his final painting, The Birth of Pandora. James Barry died in February 1806, and his body laid in state in the Society's Great Room, before being interred in St. Paul's Cathedral.