Access to the Equitable Life Archive

(*Items which are specifically of actuarial interest from these later periods are held at the Institute of Actuaries Library, London - see below for details)

Please note that from 2009 there are new arrangements affecting access to the Equitable archives, operated by London Metropolitan Archives for Guildhall Library Manuscripts - see below.

Institute of Actuaries Library Special Collection

Address: Staple Inn, High Holborn, London WC1V 7QJ; Telephone: (+ 44) (0)20 7632 2114

Extent of archives of The Equitable Life Assurance Society held at Staple Inn:

Original and printed Deeds of Settlement (1762-1910); minute books and records for the Court of Directors (1762-1848) and the General Court of Members (1765-1849); minutes of special committees (1765-1769); financial and accounting records (1767-1930) including audit records, cash books, general ledgers, receipts, valuation reports and mortgage records; litigation papers (1798-1904); policy records (1762-1963) including bonus records, claims books, mortality research papers, policy registers, premium receipts, proposal forms and prospectuses; publicity and marketing records (1762-1962) including photographs, published accounts and reports, scrapbooks, handbooks, promotional items, files compiled for historical research or on specific subjects; and manuscript volumes written by actuaries and mathematical practitioners (1747-1835).

In 1924 William Palin Elderton (president of the Society 1947-1953) subjected many of the series of records to sampling, usually leaving the earliest example of a volume, in addition to a few other volumes. Consequently, many series of records do not form complete runs.

Included in this acquisition was a collection of books that were part of the Equitable Life Assurance Society archive and have been listed separately as a library acquisition.

The Institute also holds a series of research files compiled by the actuary Maurice Edward Ogborn for his book Equitable Assurances, which charts the history of the Equitable Life Assurance Society. The book was printed to celebrate the bicentenary of the Society in 1962.

The Institute also holds 1 metal advertising board from the Equitable Reversionary Interest Society archive, c1920, and 2 quinquennial valuations and reports from the Reversionary Interest Society, 1899 and 1904.

See 'Associated documents' for catalogue listing of Equitable Life Assurance Society (ELAS) Archive 1762 - 1975 at Institute of Actuaries Library, London.

Guildhall Library

Address: Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH; Telephone: (+ 44) (0)20 7332 1862 / 1863; Email: manuscripts.guildhall@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Guildhall Library's Manuscripts reading room service operates at London's Guildhall. However, many items from business archives are made available at the London Metropolitan Archives centre in Clerkenwell, London following modernisation of its facilities. Archive records (including Equitable archives) are stored at Guildhall, and you should continue to address enquiries to the Library's usual telephone number 020 7332 1863. You can request items for viewing at London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HB. Updates and further information are available from Guildhall Manuscripts: http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/

For information for opening hours and arrangements for requesting items (24 hours notice is required):
see Guildhall Library Manuscripts: www.history.ac.uk/gh/
City of London Library catalogue: Search 'Equitable Life Assurance Society' as author.

Extent of archives of the Equitable Life Assurance Society held at Guildhall includes:

Minute books, indexes and records for the Court of Directors (1830-1951)[Ms 38646-49]; minutes and records of the General Court of Members (1836-[1910]) [Ms 38650-51]; minutes of special committees (1892-1903) [Ms 38652]; financial records (1831-1972) [Ms 38653-62]; policy records, (1803-1976) [Ms 38663-76]; correspondence (1833-61) [Ms 38677]; and policy forms and other operational records, ([1870?]-1931) [Ms 38678-85].

Extent of archives* of the Equitable Reversionary Interest Society held at Guildhall includes: Deeds of Settlement, 1835 and 1893; Minutes of meetings of Board of Directors, 1835-1969 (52 volumes); General Meetings minute book 1837-1970; Auditors minute books 1837-1853, 1907-1916; Registers of Directors 1906-1948; Stock books 1856-1967; sundry other items.

Extent of archives* of the Reversionary Interest Society held at Guildhall includes: Shareholders register ledgers 1831-1846, 1916-1937 Proposals books 1915-1973; sundry other items.

Minute books, indexes and records for the Court of Directors (1834-1951)[Ms 38646-49]; minutes and records of the General Court of Members (1836-[1910]) [Ms 38650-51]; minutes of special committees (1892-1903) [Ms 38652]; financial records (1831-1972) [Ms 38654-62]; policy records, (1803-1976) [Ms 38663-76]; correspondence (1833-61) [Ms 38677]; and policy forms and other operational records, ([1870?]-1931) [Ms 38678-85].

See 'Associated documents' for catalogue listing of Equitable Life Assurance Society (ELAS) Archive 1803 - 1976 at Guildhall Library, London.

The Equitable Life Assurance Society remains the owner of all its records dating from 1950 and is responsible for their administration. In 2007, the Reliance Mutual Insurance Society acquired the business of the University Life Assurance Society, Equitable's former subsidiary, and related University Life archive records.

Contact: libraries@actuaries.org.uk