Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution

founded 1824

Open to members and visitors for a programme of lectures, events, and exhibitions, and welcoming researchers to use its collections.

Background
The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution (BRLSI) was founded in 1824 and was opened to members in 1825, providing a museum, library and reading room, lecture hall and botanical garden. The BRLSI moved to its present building in 1932, but fell into rapid decline with a dwindling membership following requisition of its building by the Admiralty during World War II. The BRLSI was successfully relaunched in 1993 and has established itself as centre of learning, study, and knowledge sharing.

Collection
The BRLSI cares for and promotes a museum, library, and archive collection. Their antiquarian library contains over 9,000 volumes, notably the Jenyns and Broome natural history libraries. Smaller collections cover local history, theology, travel, and government. The Institution's archives contain bound volumes of letters from eminent naturalists and scientists, including Charles Darwin, Sir Joseph Hooker and Professor J S Henslow.

Building
Grade I listed Greek Revival building designed by John Pinch the Younger in 1830 located in Queen Square, the finest Georgian square in Bath, originally designed by John Wood the Elder and built between 1728 and 1735.

Contact
Chair of the Board of Directors: Professor Ian Gadd, chair@brlsi.org
16-18 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN
General enquiries: reception@brlsi.org / 01225 312 084

Monday-Friday 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Exhibitions are open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm

Open to visitors and researchers by appointment.

Website
www.brlsi.org

Status

Registered charity no 304477