The Society organised annual receptions for Fellows and members of Council. Although essentially social events, they were used as an opportunity to raise funds.
Information on Fellows has been gathered since foundation of the Society, although this has always been for administrative/financial reasons. Membership lists do not include any further biographical information. Subscribers to the Society were originally termed 'members'. From 1914, members were referred to as 'Fellows'.\n\nFellowship lists exist in various formats:\nSubscription lists (manuscript) from 1754 to 1986: early volumes are bound, late 20th century ledgers are loose leaf. There are gaps.\nPrinted lists of Members/Fellows also appear bound into the volumes of Transactions, later the Journal, for most years. In the 1970s and 80s, separate printed lists were published.\nInformation contained in lists includes name and usually address, date of election and year of resignation ('declined') or death, if specifically noted. early lists include details of proposer and some also include Member's area of interest or profession.\n\n
Corresponding members were first elected in 1755. Benjamin Franklin being one of the earliest.
Letters of complaint; subscription rates; correspondence to and from Sidney Loweth about membership and bye-laws (1960s); correspondence from Fellows about honours. Includes a letter from the office of Nelson Mandela accepting Fellowship of the Society (dated 31 May 1999).
Includes papers of membership committee and Privy Council about use of letters; and items on proposals to abolish term 'Fellow'
Correspondence and papers about setting up of group to discuss issues of the day. Initiated by Brian Batsford, Dr Bradford and others.
Development and administration of regional committees, including Yorkshire, South West, North West, East Anglia and West Midlands. Management of West Midlands region including correspondence with Antoinette Gordon
Regulations governing the role of HCMs and lists of members at various dates
Correspondence from Victoria Chapter and other areas including letters from Sir Laurence Hartnett. Also details of social events and visits of Chairman and Secretary.
Correspondence to and from Australian members including Sir Laurence Hartnett and nominations for the Hartnett Medal. The medal was instituted in honour of Sir Laurence Harnett (1899-1986), the founder in 1972 of the Society's first Overseas Chapter. Sir Laurence did much to encourage Australian membership and to spread knowledge of the Society's work. The medal was awarded for achievement, eminence and performancein Australia in the fields of arts, manufactures and arts, manufactures and commerce). Also details of social events and visits of Chairman and Secretary.
Correspondence to and from HCMs in New Zealand including arrangements for social events and visit of Chairman and Secretary.
Correspondence to and from HCMs in Canada, particularly New Brusnwick and Atlantic Provinces. Correspondence to and from David Fensom, Brian Newbold, Laurence Lande and, Walter James Browne and arrangements for social events and visit of Chairman and Secretary
General correspondence to and from members in the United States including Simon Lissim and Jack Chambliss. Papers on establishment of Benjamin Franklin Fellowships, with correspondence from Fellows acknowledging membership. Includes details of social events and visits by Chairman and Secretary. Includes a pamphlet: The American Dream and the Royal Society of Arts: an address given by Sir James Taylor, Chairman of the RSA to the Newcomen Society in North America in 1972
Correspondence to and from Fellows in Holland, Denmark, Sweden and France
Correspondence to and from Members including details of social events, fundraising and general membership. Includes correspondence to and from Akito Morita, Albert medallist in 1984
Administrative correspondence between the RSA and various American institutes about the silver medal which was offered to outstanding students in universities or other institutions of higher learning in the United States to recognise individual achievements and strengthen the good relations between the United States and Great Britain. The RSA ended this scheme in 1988.