Royal Archaeological Institute

{{Infobox organization

| name = Royal Archaeological Institute

| image =

| image_border =

| size =

| alt =

| caption =

| abbreviation = RAI

| formation = 1844

| type = Learned society

| status =

| registration_id = England and Wales: 226222

| purpose = Archaeology, architecture and landscape history in the British Isles

| location = London, United Kingdom

| region_served = British Isles

| leader_title = Patron

| leader_name = Charles III

| leader_title2 = President

| leader_name2 = Nathalie Cohen

| website = {{URL|www.royalarchinst.org}}

}}

The Royal Archaeological Institute (RAI) is a learned society, established in 1844, with interests in all aspects of the archaeological, architectural and landscape history of the British Isles. Membership is open to all with an interest in these areas.

History

The Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland was founded in 1844 at 16 New Burlington Street, London, from where it published The Archaeological Journal and held public events.[https://archive.org/details/archaeologicaljo25brituoft/page/n5/mode/2up The Archaeological Journal, Internet Archive] The Institute arose from a dispute in the archaeological world over the formation of the British Archaeological Association a year earlier. The Institute changed its name to the Royal Archaeological Institute in 1866. Its events could be popular: an Exhibition of Helmets and Mail held in 1880 attracted 1,200 visitors over 12 days.[https://archive.org/details/archaeologicaljo37brituoft/page/454/mode/2up?view=theater Archaeological Journal, Vol. XXXVII, p. 454] The Institute moved to Oxford Mansions, just North East of Oxford Circus, in the early 1880s, and then to 20 Hanover Square in 1894.{{Cite web |last=Thornton |first=Amara |author-link=Amara Thornton |date=April 2, 2014 |title=Archaeology on Oxford Street |url=https://www.readingroomnotes.com/home/archaeology-on-oxford-street |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427071626/https://www.readingroomnotes.com/home/archaeology-on-oxford-street |archive-date=Apr 27, 2024 |website=Reading Room Notes}}

The library of the Royal Archaeological Institute was donated to the Society of Antiquaries and now forms part of the collection at Burlington House.

Activities

One of the institute's principal activities is the publication of the Archaeological Journal, an annual peer-reviewed journal containing reports of archaeological and architectural survey and fieldwork on sites and monuments of all periods, and syntheses and overviews of similar work throughout the British Isles. It also hosts lectures and seminars, and both sponsors and participates in field trips to archaeological sites and landscapes. It works in cooperation with other archaeological bodies and societies. A programme of monthly lectures is held from October to May at the premises of the Society of Antiquaries of London at Burlington House.{{cite web |title=About |publisher=Royal Archaeological Institute |url=http://www.royalarchinst.org/about |access-date=24 June 2018 }}

Presidents

The following have served as presidents of the institute:{{Cite web|url=http://www.royalarchinst.org/about/presidents|title=Past Presidents |website=Royal Archaeological Institute |language=en|access-date=2021-09-22}}{{Cite web|title=RAI Council Members and Officers |url=https://www.royalarchinst.org/about/rai-council-members|access-date=2021-11-15 |website=Royal Archaeological Institute |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115193600/https://www.royalarchinst.org/about/rai-council-members |archive-date= 2021-11-15 }}

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|

1844–1845: Lord Albert Conyngham
1845–1851: Spencer Compton, 2nd Marquess of Northampton
1851–1861: James Talbot, 4th Baron Talbot of Malahide (first term)
1861–1862: George Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton
1862–1867: John Pratt, 3rd Marquess Camden
1867–1882: James Talbot, 4th Baron Talbot of Malahide (second term)
1882–1891: Henry Percy, Earl Percy
1892–1897: Harold Dillon, 17th Viscount Dillon
1897–1924: Sir Henry Howorth
1924–1926: Sir William Dawkins
1927–1939: Sir Charles Oman
1939–1942: A. Hamilton Thompson
1942–1945: Christopher Hawkes
1945–1948: Sir Alfred Clapham
1948–1951: Joan Evans
1951–1954: Sir Mortimer Wheeler
1954–1957: Philip Corder
1957–1960: W. F. Grimes
1960–1963: Ralegh Radford
1963–1966: P. K. Baillie Reynolds
1966–1969: D. B. Harden
1969–1972: E. Clive Rouse
1972–1975: Harold Taylor
1975–1978: John Charlton
1978–1981: Sheppard Frere
1981–1984: Denys Spittle
1984–1987: Hugh Thompson
1987–1990: Norman Pounds
1990–1993: A. P. Baggs
1993–1996: Andrew Saunders
1996–1999: Anthony Quiney
1999–2000: T. W. Potter
2000–2003: Mark Hassall
2003–2006: Lindsay Allason-Jones (first term)
2006–2009: Jonathan Coad
2009–2012: David Breeze
2012–2015: David Hinton
2015–2018: Timothy Champion
2018–2019: Blaise Vyner
2020–2021: Ken Smith
2021–2024: Allason-Jones (second term)
2024– : Nathalie Cohen

}}

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.royalarchinst.org/}}

Category:Scientific organizations established in 1844

Category:Archaeological organizations

Category:1844 establishments in the United Kingdom

Category:Archaeology of the United Kingdom

Category:Organisations based in the United Kingdom with royal patronage