| RefNo | NLB/4/945 |
| AltRefNo | NLB/4 p392-393 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from Michael Foster, to Edward Maunde Thompson, Principal Librarian, British Museum, W.C. |
| Date | 5 December 1890 |
| Description | It is a matter of regret to the Society that it possesses no complete set of the lits of their own Fellows. The earliest list is a mutilated copy for 1701. On this list it has been recently noticed that there is a contemporary note "April 10. delivr'd all before this to Dr. Sloane being 3 books begining April 1 1868 and ending March ye last 1700". From this it can be surmised that Sloane who was then Secretary, borrowed these lists for official purposes and when he died and bequeathed to the nation his library and manuscripts, these lists went with them. Sloane's museum and library formed the nucleus of the British Museum and it seems probable that the lost lists now form part of the national collection. The Trustees of the British Museum have no power under any circumstances to part with works unless they are duplicate copies. The catalogue of the museum shows that certain other lists which are also wanting for the Royal Society set are possessed in duplicate by the museum and it is hoped that the Trustees may see their way to grant to the Society the following lists of Fellows; 1687, 1727-1731, 1733-1734 and 1738. |
| Extent | 2p |
| Format | Carbon |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8220 | Foster; Sir; Michael (1836 - 1907); physiologist | 1836 - 1907 |