Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1852-1989 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
10 series
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The British Museum was founded in 1753 by Act of Parliament (26 George II c.22), and a Board of Trustees established. The Board consisted of Crown and Government nominees as well as elected members and representatives of the families of the founders and benefactors of the Museum. The Board met fortnightly at first, and then from 1761 four times a year at what were called 'General Meetings', which became purely formal. The Board delegated the day-to-day business of the Museum to a Standing Committee, which was established in 1755. Sub-Committees were set up by the Standing Committee from time to time as the need arose. The Chairman of the Board was always one of the three 'Principal Trustees': the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor and the Speaker of the House of Commons.
From 1871 extracts from the Standing Committee minutes relating to the natural history departments were copied for the use of the departments (DF902), and from 1884, once the departments had moved, the Standing Committee met at South Kensington to transact business connected with the British Museum (Natural History) (DF900). General Meetings of the Board were likewise held at this Museum from time to time, and their minutes are held here, together with the minutes of the sub-committees concerned with natural history (DF901).
In 1963 the British Museum (Natural History) was separated from the British Museum by Act of Parliament, and a newly constituted Board of Trustees met for the first time on 11 October 1963.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0060 DF TRU 1852-1989 Collection (fonds) 10 series Board of Trustees , British Museum
Standing Committee , British Museum
Board of Trustees , British Museum (Natural History)
Board of Trustees , Natural History Museum
The British Museum was founded in 1753 by Act of Parliament (26 George II c.22), and a Board of Trustees established. The Board consisted of Crown and Government nominees as well as elected members and representatives of the families of the founders and benefactors of the Museum. The Board met fortnightly at first, and then from 1761 four times a year at what were called 'General Meetings', which became purely formal. The Board delegated the day-to-day business of the Museum to a Standing Committee, which was established in 1755. Sub-Committees were set up by the Standing Committee from time to time as the need arose. The Chairman of the Board was always one of the three 'Principal Trustees': the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor and the Speaker of the House of Commons.
From 1871 extracts from the Standing Committee minutes relating to the natural history departments were copied for the use of the departments (DF902), and from 1884, once the departments had moved, the Standing Committee met at South Kensington to transact business connected with the British Museum (Natural History) (DF900). General Meetings of the Board were likewise held at this Museum from time to time, and their minutes are held here, together with the minutes of the sub-committees concerned with natural history (DF901).
In 1963 the British Museum (Natural History) was separated from the British Museum by Act of Parliament, and a newly constituted Board of Trustees met for the first time on 11 October 1963.
Transferred by the Secretary to the Trustees.
Papers of the Trustees, 1852-1989, comprising: DF900 Minutes of the Standing Committee;
DF901 Minutes of General Meetings and sub-committee meetings;
DF902 Extracts from minutes of the Standing Committee;
DF903 Background papers and memoranda of the Standing Committee;
DF904 The Chairman's agendas for Standing Committee meetings;
DF905 The Director's precis for the General Meetings;
DF906 Papers of the Principal Trustees;
DF907 Attendance books for General and Standing Committee meetings;
DF908 Books of presents;
DF909 Lists of trustees, officers and staff.
As outlined in the Scope and Content.
By appointment with the Archivist, by email to archives@nhm.ac.uk or by post to the Museum Archivist, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD.
At the Archivist's discretion. Photocopying service available. Digital photography (without flash) permitted for research purposes on completion of a photography permit form.
English
Entry copied from the Natural History Museum online catalogue by Sarah Drewery.
References:
Miller, E, 1973. That noble cabinet, a history of the British Museum. London: Deutsch. p. 400
Stearn, W T, 1981. The Natural History Museum at South Kensington. London: Heinemann. p.414 Ch.2
Wallace, J, 1990. 'The archives of the British Museum'. Archives 19:213-223
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Sep 2008 Museum administration Museum policy Natural History Museum
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Transferred by the Secretary to the Trustees.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of the Trustees, 1852-1989, comprising: DF900 Minutes of the Standing Committee;
DF901 Minutes of General Meetings and sub-committee meetings;
DF902 Extracts from minutes of the Standing Committee;
DF903 Background papers and memoranda of the Standing Committee;
DF904 The Chairman's agendas for Standing Committee meetings;
DF905 The Director's precis for the General Meetings;
DF906 Papers of the Principal Trustees;
DF907 Attendance books for General and Standing Committee meetings;
DF908 Books of presents;
DF909 Lists of trustees, officers and staff.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
As outlined in the Scope and Content.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
By appointment with the Archivist, by email to archives@nhm.ac.uk or by post to the Museum Archivist, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD.
Conditions governing reproduction
At the Archivist's discretion. Photocopying service available. Digital photography (without flash) permitted for research purposes on completion of a photography permit form.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English