This thesis follows on from my previous one. I have accepted the same brief, and have attempted to investigate very fully the history of, and conditions in, the Academy Schools for a further forty years. It is intended to be a reference book, and it is therefore set out in such a way that information can be readily attained. The three Presidencies are dealt with separately, and in each account there is a section on routine happenings - drawn from Minutes of Council, General Assembly, and other Academy records. (Perhaps I should explain that though I use a chronological basis here, and deal with each year in turn, I do not treat of events within the year in a purely chronological way. Within the year I have tried to keep to topics. Within the topic, naturally, I have kept to a chronological sequence). This section is followed by one covering other information for the Presidency period. In this I have made some attempt to 'put flesh on the bones' by including reminiscences, impressions, and anecdotes from contemporary sources when these bear upon the Schools or the students. Further, the happenings of the Academy and Schools are placed against the background of wider events. Much was taking place in education, for example, which clearly affected these South Kensington and the national Art Schools, so very active during the period, were a challenge or a stimulation, or both. In this I have tried to avoid the charge of being too diffuse: manifestly, however, one must not be too parochial. It is hoped that a correct balance is attained. Appendices, which are referred to in the text, give 'fringe information', and a very full index covers the text. Original spellings and punctuation are preserved in the extracts
