Society of Antiquaries of London

In 1726 George Lynn [aged 19] joined the Society of Antiquaries of London.

In 1815 Charles Alfred Stothard [aged 28] was appointed historical draughtsman to the Society of Antiquaries of London, who sent him to Bayeux to make coloured drawings of the tapestry for publication in the series Vetusta Monumenta.

Georgian Memoirs. The first number of Mr. Stothard's work was received with the applause it merited, and obtained for him distinguished reputation, both as an artist and an antiquary. His time was now occupied in making various excursions in search of monumental antiquities; and, during the summer of 1815, he proceeded as far northward as the Picts' Wall, in order to make drawings for Lyson's Magna Britannia. In the same year, he was appointed historical draughtsman to the Society of Antiquaries; and, in 1816, he was deputed by that body to commence his elaborate and faithful drawings from the celebrated tapestry preserved at Bayeux, in France. He left England, for that purpose, in September; and, after having visited Paris, proceeded, upon a tour of investigation, to Chinon, and discovered, in the adjacent abbey of Fontevraud [Map], those interesting effigies of the Plantagenet race, the existence of which, after the Revolution, had become matter of doubt. He found the abbey converted into a prison; and, in a cellar belonging to it, were deposited the effigies of Henry the Second, his queen, Eleanor of Guienne, Richard the First, and Isabella of Angouleme, the queen of John. The chapel, in which these figures were placed, previously to the Revolution, had been destroyed; and, since their removal to the cellar, they were exposed to continual injury from the prisoners, who came there, twice a day, to draw water at the well. From these effigies Mr. Stothard made several accurate and beautiful drawings; and succeeded, after much labour and difficulty, in discovering the painting upon their surface. Whilst upon a visit to the abbey of L'Espan, near Mons, which he found converted into a barn, he discovered, under a quantity of wheat, the effigy of Berengaria, queen of Richard the First. At Mons, he also discovered the beautiful enamelled tablet of Geoffrey Plantagenet, which he considered the earliest specimen of what is termed a sepulchral brass, and of armorial bearings, depicted decidedly as such.

In 1842 Albert Way [aged 36] was appointed Director of the Society of Antiquaries of London which position he held until 1846.

In 1858 John Peter Boileau 1st Baronet [aged 63] was elected Vice-President of the Society of Antiquaries of London on the recommendation of Philip Stanhope 5th Earl Stanhope [aged 52] which office he held until 1863 (with one break).