the rsa was founded in 1754 by william shipley as the society for the encouragement of arts, manufactures and commerce, modelled on the dublin society for improving husbandry, manufactures and other useful arts. in 1774, it moved into a new building near the strand in central london which had been purpose-designed by the adam brothers (james adam and robert adam) as part of their adelphi scheme. the address was 8 john street (now 8 john adam street). the rsa is still in there, but it also occupies nearby buildings (2-6 john adam street, plus 18 adam street). the original building includes the great room, which features a magnificent sequence of paintings by irish artist james barry: "the progress of human knowledge and culture". the first occupant of 18 adam street was the adelphi tavern, which is mentioned in dickens's "the pickwick papers". the former private dining room of the tavern contains a magnificent adam ceiling with painted roundels by the school of kauffman and zucchi.