Showing 13 results

The British Academy - They would like to honour Sir James but they do not make contributions to tributes to its Fellows, and they do not have a library, so they will not be subscribing.

2, Cheyne Gardens. - Agrees with everything Bob says about the story [Thomas Sturge Moore's "A Platonic Marriage"]. In the [witness] box, George would speak for Tom's 'character and motives' in 'the strongest possible' terms, and state that he believes the story 'is neither immoral in tendency, nor indecent'. Has written to Tom to say he will do anything to help if Tom's 'character or happiness is involved', but otherwise is keen to keep out of the matter. If Tom asked him to help as a [British] Academician, he should know that George is not one.

Magdalen College, Oxford - Thanks her for the reply to his query [Item 78], would not have bothered Sir James if he had known of his eyesight troubles; would like to subscribe to the bibliography and will urge the college librarian to subscribe as well, does not understand the abstention of the British Academy; responds to her assertion that his literary fame is overshadowed by his reputation as an anthropologist, and hopes that the work of his friends to procure him a Nobel Prize may prove successful; is glad to hear that Oxford has responded well to the subscription drive. [Letter is missing a middle sheet?]

Stocks Cottage, Tring. - Has sent on a cheque from Robert with one of his own; hopes they will 'buy a nice acre, lots of bracken and birches and part of a beck'. Agrees that the landlords may 'blackmail' them, but every policy has dangers. So far the Society [National Trust?] is only buying land threatened by building. The proposed Academic Committee of the Royal Society of Literature seems 'likely to be a harmless, if useless and unimportant, body', whose object is to 'prevent the fatuous dons who compose the so called 'British Academy' from posing as the official representation of Literature', as for the Tennyson centenary and the death of [George] Meredith.

The British Academy.—Refers to the provision of photographic copies to meet the needs of destroyed libraries in Europe, and asks Greg to write a memoir of A. W. Pollard.

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Transcript

The British Academy, Burlington Gardens, W.1
May 4th, 1944.

My dear Greg,

Thanks for Sisam’s letter and the copy of Simon’s. If there is time to raise the matter on the 17th, I will do so; if not, I think we can take it up without referring to the Council. It is all the more necessary in view of the movement to meet the needs of destroyed libraries in Europe by the multiplication of photographic copies and micro-films.

At the Council on the 17th we shall have to provide for the memoir of Pollard. I hope you will be willing to undertake it. Any details that might be required with regard to the Museum service could be easily supplied.

Yours sincerely,
F. G. Kenyon.

Refers to a letter to the Royal Society from Lord Dillon on behalf of several interested gentlemen, including Arthur Balfour, James Bryce, Lord Acton, HS, Professor Jebb, W.E. Lecky, Leslie Stephen, and others, in relation to the formation of a British Academy.

Also refers to Henry Sidgwick's plan for the the institution of a new academy or section. Lays out plan, including the ways in which the Royal Society might aid in the project. Refers to its proposed scope in terms of subject-related sections. Refers to the participation of the Royal Society in the foundation of an International Association of the principal Scientific and Literary Academies of the world, and to a scheme drawn up for the organisation of the Association, which provides for the division of the Association into two sections - ' "Scientific" ' and ' "Literary" '. Points out that there is no existing institution 'competent to represent the United Kingdom in the Philosophico-Historical [Literary] section', and this fact is used as an argument for the foundation of a new Academy.

Includes proposals 'submitted to the Committee' on ways in which the demand for the representation of Philosophico-Historical studies in an Academy might be dealt with, including the creations of an organisation independent of the Royal Society; the creation of two ' "Academies" ' within the Royal Society; the creation of two or three ' "Sections" ' of the Royal Society; and the creation of twenty-five to fifty Fellows 'representing the Philosophico-Historical subjects, to serve as a nucleus, and creation of three or four committees, similar to those already existing, viz., one for Ethnography and Archaeology, one for Philology, one for Statistics and Political Economy, and one for Psychology...'.

Reports that the above schemes were discussed at an interview with a number of representatives of the Philosophico-Historical Sciences, and that the general opinion of these gentlemen was in favour of the creation of two or three sections of the Royal Society. Refers to the issue of whether the Royal Society 'will be more useful if the area of its interests is enlarged.' Discusses the divisions between the Natural Sciences and the Philosophico-Historical group of sciences, and the manner in which each group is treated in other European countries. Raises the question of Government grants, and suggests that if new subjects were to share in these grants it might have the effect of dividing the Royal Society into sections with comparatively weak common interests. Refers also to the effect of the scheme on expenditure and on the organisation of the staff.

Thanks her for the letters, which he claims remind him of 'some of the steps connected with the establishment of the British Academy' that he had forgotten. Confirms that the statement Nora sent to him is quite correct, and states that he has added a few words, 'which explain the thing a little more fully to those who may not know the facts.' Believes that it is very possible that he has some of Henry Sidgwick's letters about the [British] Academy, but had not found them before leaving London. States that Henry and Lord Acton were the two who had most faith in the idea, but that his [Bryce']s correspondence was chiefly with Henry. Adds that the other letters reached him safely, and thanks her for them. States that he [and his wife] will be in Sussex until about 25 August, and then they plan to go abroad for five or six weeks. Asks her to let them know if she should be at T[remans]. Adds that they hope to be back [in Sussex] in October.

Explains that he found her letter of 25 September on his return to his home that night. States that there is nothing in the diary entries that she sent him in the proof [of the memoir to Henry Sidgwick] to which he objects. Remarks that what Henry wrote in the diary is very interesting, and expresses the hope that there is a good deal of it that she can publish. States that he will recommence his search for letters from Henry now that he is in London again for a few days. Believes that he could find some a later date, i.e., between 1870 and 1895. Reports that he [and his wife] have had an instructive, but rather tiring tour in Macedonia and Bulgaria, and sends on his wife's love to Nora. Adds that he has found the last letter Henry wrote to him, and sends a copy of it [not included], and remarks on the 'serenity and cheerfulness' in it and 'the interest in things which still remained with him.' Confirms that the ' "New Academy" ' is the British Academy, 'for whose establishment he [Henry] had taken some pains'.

4 Carlton Gardens, Pall Mall, S.W.1. - Acknowledges his letter suggesting an expedition by Roscoe to Central Africa, will have the proposal examined but warns the [British] Academy's funds are 'very exiguous!!'

Invitation to the lecture, 'From Alexander Burnes to Frederick Roberts: A Survey of Imperial Frontier Policy' on 15 July.

161 Woodstock Road, Oxford. Confidential - The British Academy is considering a proposal to institute an Indian Academy, and as head of the deliberating committee, invites Frazer to be involved, and if he agrees, will send the original memorandum and Sir Frederic Kenyon's reply to it on behalf of the Council.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - The Sykes-Davieses are coming to lunch on Sunday; has also asked Hugh to let Bob know where the [Apostles] Society will meet on Saturday night; might be a good idea for Bob to attend after dinner here with Janet, since George has to be in London that night at the [British] Academy dinner, though he is free all of Sunday. Sorry that Bessie cannot come.

3 Buckingham Gate, S.W. Date 2nd June 1915 - Makes suggestions of topics for further study: ancestor worship, omen divination, the dragon in Eastern and Western mythology; asks him to give a paper for the British Academy.