The Old Water-Colour Society, first named 'The Society of Painters in Water-Colours' was founded on 30 November 1804. The originators were Robert Hills (1769-1844) William Henry Pyne (1769-1843) Samuel Shelly, (1750-1808) and William Frederick Wells, (1762-1836) soon to be joined by John Varley and John Glover, (1767-1849). William Sawrey Gilpin (1762-1843) took the chair at the first full meeting and later became first President. The aims of the society were to enable watercolours to be better seen and to establish an annual exhibition of members work. The first exhibition was held on 22 April 1805 with 275 works on show in Lower Brook Street. The exhibition of 1807 was held in the old Royal Academy Rooms in Pall Mall. In 1808 the society held its exhibition at 16 Old Bond Street and the fifth exhibition in 1809 in Spring Gardens were it continued the annual shows until 1813, when the building was demolished. For two years, (1821-1822) the society exhibited at the Egyptian Hall Piccadilly and then to Pall Mall East in 1823 where exhibitions continued into Ruskin 's time. The early success of the society initiated the formation of other societies :'The Associated Artists in Water Colours' in 1808-1812 and the 'New Society of Painters in Water Colours' which was founded in 1832. The Old Water-Colour Society was given a Royal Charter in 1881 and became the Royal Watercolour Society. (see Ruskin and the Old Water-Colour Society.)