Records of the Registry

x

The post of Registrar was created in 1862 as the administration associated with running the Royal Academy grew. The first post-holder, Henry Eyre, had been a clerk at the Academy for some time. Eyre had an incalculable impact on record-keeping during this period and under his direction the Academy took on the administrative character of a typical Victorian institution.

The Registry was closed in 1996 with the retirement of Laurie Bray.

Much of the material catalogued under the Secretary's office probably originated and was stored in the Registry. Sadly there is no evidence of this and so, as the Secretary had overall direction of the Academy's offices, the material has been placed under that heading. In the latter stages of it's existence the Registry became particularly associated with two functions, the summer exhibition, and the special trust funds administered by the Academy.

The summer exhibition is represented by the extensive run of master sales catalogues. The Trust funds by the records of their operation and any associated activities.