Camden Society

Preserved but no longer current.

Meaning · English

An historical society founded in 1838 for the publication of early historic and literary remains connected with English history, and so named in honour of William Camden (1551-1623), the antiquary. In 1897 it amalgamated with the Royal Historical Society, and its long series of publications was transferred to that body.

Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)

Sources & notes

Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.

Common questions

What does “Camden Society” mean?

An historical society founded in 1838 for the publication of early historic and literary remains connected with English history, and so named in honour of William Camden (1551-1623), the antiquary. In 1897 it amalgamated with the Royal Historical Society, and its long series of publications was transferred to that body.

Is “Camden Society” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.