Hon. Archivist and Curator role
The role of the Hon. Archivist and Curator in general terms is to advise the Freedom & Livery Committee, via the Clerk, on how to assemble, catalogue, preserve and manage the Company’s archives and treasures. Court Assistant Michael Cooper took over this post in January 2024, and has been kept very busy.
Michael has been a member of the Plumbers’ Company since 2002 and a Freeman of the City of London since 1991. Michael studied history at Christ Church, Oxford before pursuing a career as a chartered accountant in the City and Civil Service.
Background to the role
The Company received its first Ordinances in 1365, its Grant of Arms in 1588, and its Royal Charter in 1611. The archives and collections are essential elements of the Company’s past history, current activities and future direction. Read more about the Company’s History and Traditions.
The Company is fortunate to possess archives dating from the 16th century onwards. Older archives are stored on behalf of the Company at the Guildhall Library. More recent archives are held by the Company in both physical and, increasingly, digital format.
There is also a growing collection of physical artifacts that have been collected by, or donated to, the Company over the centuries.
Current work
Current work on the archives includes transcription and digitisation of Court minutes and research into the history of the Company’s halls. The Hon. Archivist regularly answers queries from members of the public and supports research into the Company’s history.
The Company is enhancing the information it holds about its collections and plans to present these soon via an online gallery so that they are more accessible to the Livery.
History Group
The Company’s History Group has been revived and there will be a trip to see selected items from the Archives on Tuesday, 4th February 2025.