A motivation for the creation of the society was an 1852 proposal[3] by the antiquarian and writer John Britton (1771–1857) to sell his collection of Wiltshire-related books, drawings etc.
William Cunnington III (grandson of the pioneering excavator of the same name) formed a Devizes-based committee which purchased the collection for £150.
[4] The inaugural meeting of the society was held at Devizes Town Hall on 12 October 1853, and attracted between 200 and 300 people including "many of the neighbouring Gentry and Clergy".
[3] The resolution to form the society stated that its objects would be "to cultivate and collect information on Archaeology and Natural History in their various branches, and to form a Library and Museum, illustrating the History, natural, civil and ecclesiastic, of the County of Wilts".
[5] George Poulett Scrope, a geologist and MP for Stroud, was elected as the president and gave an address.