George IV

Royal Charter of Incorporation with seal given by George IV to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland at the request of Charles Watkin Williams Wynn and other members of the Society. Included in the Charter was permission to own buildings and land to a value of £1000 and that the First Commissioner for the affairs of India should be a Vice-Patron and that there should be a Council to direct the affairs of the Society consisting of a President and not more than twenty-four or less than six other members. It declares that Charles Watkin Williams Wynn will be the first President and that the first Council members should be elected within six months after the date of the Charter. The General Meetings should elect the President and the Council. The finances will be in the charge of the Council and the members will have the right to dispose of assets, and that no bye-law can be made contrary to the spirit of the Charter. The charter measures 80cm by 61cm, and the seal is 15cm in diameter.

The Minutes of the Council Meetings from the beginning of the Society to this period hold information concerning the granting of this royal charter.

Published