As originally published in Actuarial Update, October 1998:

Academy Salutes UK Institute’s 150 Years

The American eagle and Academy seal are now fixtures of London’s Staple Inn, home of the Institute of Actuaries (now known as the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries or The Actuarial Profession). The eagle and seal are design features of a hand-crafted stained-glass window given by the Academy in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Institute’s founding.

Academy President-elect Richard S. Robertson unveiled the window at a June 4 ceremony in London. In presenting the gift to Institute President Duncan Ferguson, Robertson saluted the traditionally close ties between the British and American professions.

The U.S. actuarial profession has its roots in British actuarial practice, and the Institute’s founding in 1848 was a watershed event for the profession. Writing in his 1989 history, Our Yesterdays, former Academy President E.J. Moorhead called the Institute’s founding “a development of immense value and stimulus to the profession in North America.” Of particular importance was the Institute’s Journal, which in the early days of the profession was the principal international forum for the interchange of ideas and technical developments among actuaries.

The window was designed on commission from the Academy stained-glass artist Ged Goodden. Former Canadian Institute of Actuaries President Mo Chambers assisted the Academy in placing the commission with the British-trained artist, who resides in London, Ontario.

From the description of Window S(south)16 in Staple Inn Hall from the Institute of Actuaries

Window presented to the Institute of Actuaries by the American Academy of Actuaries (established 1965) on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Institute of Actuaries (England) and the U.K. actuarial profession in 1998.

Inscriptions:

American Academy of Actuaries 1965.
E Pluribus Unum.
Institute of Actuaries 1848-1998 Sesqui-Centenary.

Description: Emblem of American Academy of Actuaries. Below, the American eagle with wings spread holding leafed branch with white berries in the left claw, and arrows in the right. Roof chamber features below.