The Society of Dilettanti. Archaeology and Identity in the British Enlightenment

Abstract

The Society of Dilettanti, founded in London in 1732, began life as a dining club for rich, travelled men and later took its place at the centre of some of the key enterprises in the development in Britain of fuller understanding of the antique world through its history, architecture and artefacts. In this volume, the dual aspects of gentlemen's club and scholarly institution – which might appear to be contradictory or even mutually exclusive – are examined side by side, as indicated in the subtitle and are proposed as complementary, two sides of the same ancient coin. The writer's approach is to put into a sociological context some of the valuable archaeological discoveries made and innovative scholarship undertaken with the support of the Society throughout this period. The impression given of the Society is of a heterogeneous group of amateur enthusiasts for the antique becoming gradually more focused and professional as time passed.