Papers & Letters relating to the Formation of the Society
Scope & Content:
Folder containing letters and plans relating to the establishment and early administration of the Literary Fund, including details of meeting arrangements, enquiries from interested parties, a suggestion for a 'Memorial of Benevolence' and an account of the Fund by David Williams. Includes docume...
Letters respecting Theatrical Performances & Concerts in behalf of the Society
Scope & Content:
Folder containing enquiries about benefit performances for the Literary Fund. Includes an enquiry from and response to [?] Furs (1792), a letter from David Williams objecting to a concert proposed by Mr Busby (5 Jun 1800), an invitation to an unidentified recipient (30 Mar 1852) and further enqui...
Correspondence with the Bishops & Dr Parr respecting the Preaching of a Sermon on behalf of the Society
Scope & Content:
Correspondence from Charles Manners-Sutton, Bishop of Norwich (12 Mar 1794), Edward Venables-Vernon-Harcourt, Bishop of Carlisle (undated), and Samuel Parr (25 Mar 1802) with regard to a series of attempts to have a sermon preached on behalf of the Literary Fund. Also contains other related lett...
John Francis Rigaud's Design for an Engraved Plate
Scope & Content:
Contains documents relating to the reproduction of a design produced by John Francis Rigaud for the benefit of the Literary Fund in 1800, including a resolution, details of subscribers and letters from correspondents including David Williams, Rigaud, and the engraver Thomas Ryder. The folder also...
Documents relating to David Williams' Claims of Literature
Scope & Content:
Contains documents relating to the publication of Claims of Literature, including a notice detailing its publication, a letter from its publisher, William Miller (17 Dec 1801), details of orders, a list of Reviews and institutions to which it was sent and a letter of thanks from Robert Watts, the...
Message from the Prince of Wales respecting a House
Scope & Content:
Documents relating to the Prince of Wales' 1805 offer of a house to the Committee of the Literary Fund. Primarily by the founder, David Williams, these include notes, reports, minutes, the text of the Prince's offer and correspondence with Thomas Pelham, Earl of Chichester, who facilitated the Fu...
Contains two proposals for the Literary Fund to assist in creating a school for the children of authors, one from C Carwyn (25 Aug 1808) and one from William Knighton (16 Jan 1858, with responses from Octavian Blewitt dated 18 Jan 1858 and 13 Feb 1858).
Contains a collection of printed, handwritten and annotated versions of the Constitution and Bye Laws of the Literary Fund, as well as details of the society's transactions, copies of minutes including discussions about revisions, and correspondence about revisions dating from June 1840.
Copy of the Charter, Correspondence respecting it, & Law Charges
Scope & Content:
Contains documents relating to the Literary Fund's attempts to acquire a royal charter, first in 1808 and then (successfully) in 1818. Includes copies of the draft 1808 charter and of the approved 1818 charter, as well as copies of addresses to George III and letters from interested parties and ...
The Corporate Seal & the Prince Regent's Approval of it
Scope & Content:
Contains correspondence between Thomas Pelham, Earl of Chichester, and Sir Benjamin Bloomfield relating to the Prince Regent's approving in May 1819 a design for the corporate seal of the Literary Fund. Also includes a copy of the design with heraldic description and a letter from Thomas William ...