Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution
| Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) |
|
|---|---|
| legal form | non-profit association under Anglo-Welsh law, Charity-No. 304477 |
| founding | 1824 in Bath |
| Seat | BRLSI; 16-18 Queen Square; Bath BA1 2HN |
| motto | The Promotion and Advancement of Science, Literature and Art |
| purpose | Promotion of science, literature and the arts; Preservation of heritage; Education |
| method | Museums, own events, |
| Action space | Great Britain |
| Managing directors | David Hayworth |
| Employees | 6th |
| Website | https://www.brlsi.org/ |
The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution ( BRLSI ) is a non-profit foundation promoting the sciences , literature and the arts .
history
In the early 19th century, there were increasing proposals to establish a local science and literature institution in Bath . When a vacant lot in a central location arose after a fire, a member of parliament convinced the owner to build permanent quarters for the first company on this property. The building, constructed by George Allen Underwook, offered large areas for the extensive collection of finds from Roman times, the library and the geological pieces. The museum's first curator, William Lonsdale , claimed to be able to show the full stratification of the British Isles.
The official opening took place in 1824. The institution's prestige grew rapidly and in 1830 the then Duke of Clarence , later King William IV , offered the Society royal patronage and thus a royal charter . In 1837 Queen Victoria allowed the use of the attribute "Royal" in the name.
Around 1850 the society gained two influential members, Leonard Jenyns and the geologist Charles Moore , who established a geological and natural history museum for the society.
In 1858 the members had collected enough donations to purchase the building on Terrace Walk including the botanical garden as far as the Avon River . The library was expanded to include valuable books with donations. In addition, the legacies of well-known scholars expanded the collections.
When many societies weakened financially at the end of the 19th century, they merged with other societies. The Bath Athenaeum merged with the BRLSI in 1899.
In 1924, for the company's centenary, it was proposed to renovate the buildings. These plans were put on hold when Bath's transport plans called for the buildings to be demolished. In 1932 the move to Queen Square in the buildings of William Oliver was completed. During this time, other pieces were added to the BRLSI collection, including numerous calotypes by the British photography pioneer Francis Lockey .
During the Second World War , the buildings in Bath were confiscated by the Admiralty and only returned to Bath City Council in 1959. Many objects in the BRLSI collection had been stored or exhibited in other museums and libraries. Books had been sold to fund the establishment of the Bath City Reference Library, which opened in Queens Square in 1964. In 1974, an administrative reorganization transferred ownership of the BRLSI collection to Avon County Council, raising concerns among Bath residents. In 1988 the Friends of BRLSI Steering Group was formed and tried to revive the previous company. BRLSI was re-established in 1993. The new foundation received fiduciary supervision over the remaining collection. In May of the same year an inaugural exhibition of the remaining collection was opened and for the first time in 50 years new members were recruited to the BRLSI.
Social life has settled down again since 1993. Approx. 130 readings and lectures are held annually, with speakers from society as well as leading scientists and thinkers. Changing exhibitions of the various collections are held. The collections grow again through acquisitions or bequests, for example a collection of valuable documents from Adelard of Bath .
organization
The supervisory body is the company's board. It is staffed with appointed and elected directors:
- two appointed directors from the University of Bath
- an appointed director of Bath Spa University
- a director from the West of England Geologist Association
- a director from Bath and North East Somerset Council (or equivalent)
- up to two additional directors from local institutions at the directors' choice.
- eight directors elected by the annual general meeting
Directors are appointed or elected on a rolling three-year basis and have a maximum of three consecutive terms. The Board oversees the Management Committee, which is supported by sub-committees whose chairmen must be members of the BRLSI:
- Collection SC (donations)
- Finance-SC (accounting and reporting)
- Membership-SC (members)
- Premises-SC (property and building)
- Programs-SC (Programs)
- Publications-SC (Publications)
- Publicity-SC (public relations)
- Staff-SC (employees)
- Website-SC (website)
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. About Us. In: Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution website. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, accessed April 13, 2020 .
- ↑ a b unknown: Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution. (PDF) Director's Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2019. In: Website of the Charity Commission for England and Wales . July 23, 2019, accessed April 13, 2020 .
- ↑ a b c unknown: Governance Structure. In: Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution website. Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, accessed April 13, 2020 .