Essays of the London Architectural Society
Contributors: Elmes, James, 1782-1862; Savage, James, 1779-1852; Beazley, Samuel, 1786-1851; Woods, Joseph, 1776-1864
Publisher: Sold by J. Taylor
Published: 1808
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Subjects: Architecture
Notes: Part 1: [4], xii, [4], 139, [1] p., 4 engr. pl. Part 2: [2], ii, 189, [3] p., 4 engr. pl. The imprint of Cox, Son and Baylis appears on the verso of each title-leaf and on the final page of each volume.

: The absence of a forum for the exchange and (since the demise of the Academy lectures) dissemination of current knowledge and ideas concerning the practice of architecture led a small group of young architects (principally Joseph Woods, James Savage, James Elmes, and C.A. Busby as founding president, vice-presidents, and secretary respectively) to institute a Society in 1806 'to improve one another, and they hope to improve the science' (Preface, p.iv). In contrast to 'clubs which have been formed by persons in the profession ... rather to enjoy the pleasures of fellowship ... than for the advancement of the art' (meaning no doubt the Architects' Club, which was in any case run by and for the elite of the profession only), all members of the London Architectural Society were expected to contribute to its proceedings on a regular basis. Not only were there stiff fines for non-attendance at meetings, it was also a condition of membership that 'every ordinary member shall produce annually, according to a rotation ... an Architectural Design never before ... made public', and also 'annually, in the agreed order, an Essay on some subject connected with civil architecture ... ' (Rules X, XI). The present essays were selected for publication by 'a committee appointed for that purpose' (Rule XII). Among the twenty members listed in part 1 are the publisher Josiah Taylor, and J.L. Schr{OCLCbr94}der whose unpublished 'Essay upon the chemical composition of Calcareous Cements, written for the London Architectural Society' in 1806, is in the RIBA MSS. Collection (LAS/5) together with collections of the papers read at meetings of the Society between 21 September 1842 and 1 November 1847 (LAS/1-4). For an account of the Society, see The Builder (XXI, 1863, pp. 86, 112-13, 140) and Colvin (p.36).

Signature: Part 1: 8:̲ {OCLCbrCB}² A-I⁸ K⁶. [80 leaves] $4 signed Part 2: 8:̲ A² B-N⁸. [98 leaves] $4 signed ( -B3-4); inner forme of sheet E inverted in some copies.