| Description | Large diverse series of papers intended to encompass all collections of documents which were not generated by the organization, but which were donated, purchased or otherwise acquired from outside sources. The series therefore contains all manner of papers by, about, or belonging to Fellows of the Royal Society. The subject matter is as diverse as the interests of the Fellows, and covers all branches of the sciences, including some non-scientific material. Generally, the manuscripts are Western in origin. Also includes some records generated by the Society itself but added to the collection when considered unsuitable for existing categories. |
| Arrangement | By date of accession. Some records removed at a later date to create a new series (such as the early Committee Minute Books, previously occupying the numbers MS 428-98, 503-4) The numbers were not reassigned, so although the numbers are consecutive, there are gaps, and the total is not a true reflection of the number of Manuscripts within the collection. |
| Administrative history | Papers by, about or belonging to the Fellows of the Royal Society, and acquired by donation or purchase from outside sources. |