The North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society was a historical society founded in Shanghai in 1857. It was granted a royal charter in 1858 and was conceived as a learned society composed of male international scholars, which later opened to include women and Chinese members. Amid Shanghai’s historical turmoil, the society ceased to function in 1952. In 2006, it was reconvened as the modern Royal Asiatic Society China and has since been a force for advancing scholarship on China and Asia, run by volunteer council members and conveners. One of its gems is the member-supported private library and archive, which holds an impressive collection of books on Chinese history, literature, and architecture, as well as a Chinese classic film archive of DVDs. 

Join RAS Council Member and Librarian Julie Chun to gain an understanding of the valuable materials and archives that will be available on a private visit for SEA members. 

Please note: Due to the library’s small space, this visit…