Loan 96 RLF 2/1

The main run of the Minute Books contains a chronological account of the meetings of the Committee of the Literary Fund. The majority of these were general meetings, at which Fund business was discussed and applications considered. After an initial period of fluctuations, from the 1810s these meetings occurred monthly on the second Wednesday, with a break in the summer, initially from June until November, although this period became shorter over the Fund's history. For particularly urgent cases, extraordinary meetings could be called. Additional meetings were also convened to discuss particularly important points relating to the Fund's direction and administration.

The Minute Books contain a brief summary of every case brought before the Committee, the decision made and the sum awarded (if any). They do not generally go into any detail on the Committee's discussions of cases. As well as the decisions on the applications, the minute books contain information on the other aspects of the Fund's administration. These include details of the appointment of officers, the purchase of stock, the Fund's headquarters and the organisation and success of the Anniversary Dinners, as well as debates on the Fund's direction and communications with members and with other societies. For each meeting, a full list of those present is recorded.