About The Eccentric Club
While our entire website is dedicated to various aspects of our club's history, ethos, and practical information regarding its membership and operation, this page provides a brief summary aimed particularly at media professionals who may need a quick reference or boilerplate about the club.
- Founded: Assumed 1781, though some credible historical/archival records date it as early as 1764 (in Fleet Street). Became particularly famous around 1795-1810.
- Origins: An offshoot of The Brilliants, a Whig debating club.
- Notable Early Members included Richard Brinsley Sheridan, James Fox, William Pitt the Younger, and, later, HM King George IV.
- Core Ethos: No political or religious debates; focus on “Good Fellowship” and “True Sociality”, which became 'rare and eccentric.'
- Club Motto: Nil Nisi Bonum - "Nothing But Good".
- Debating Societies Ban (1795-99): The only club to remain open during London’s ban on debating clubs, thanks to its political neutrality (and patronage of its member William Pitt the Younger).
- Longest Continuous Operation: 1890-1984, at 9-11 Ryder Street, St. James’s (former premises of the Dieudonne Hotel), which has more recently been leased by Christie’s Auction House (since 1986). More about the club's various premises - see here.
- Eccentric Lodge No. 2488 (UGLE) was founded in 1893. It is loosely associated with the club and conducts extensive charity fundraising.
- 1780s: Politicians, lawyers, journalists, aristocracy.
- 1890s: Artists, actors, aristocracy.
- 1890 Revival: 700 new candidates were reported to have completed membership applications in a single evening.
- 1980s: Businessmen, actors, sportsmen, aristocracy.
- Peak Membership Numbers:
- 1820s-1830s: Estimated 4,000+ members (some exaggerated reports claim 8,000-9,000).
- 1980s: Around 2,000 members across different membership classes, including corporate and overseas.
- Grand Order of Water Rats: An elite professional organisation for British entertainers, occupied one of the floors at the Eccentric Club;
- Lighthouse Club: A charitable organisation for the construction industry (also was the Eccentric Club tenant);
- Lord’s Taverners Cricket Club: Members were associate members of The Eccentric Club since 1950.
- 1984 Closure: Due to botched, delayed renovations, lost membership, and lease issues.
- 2008 Revival: Initiated by a mix of original members and new recruits from other London clubs.
- No Permanent Clubhouse: Uses the premises of other London clubs.
- HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh:
- Honorary Life Member since 1979.
- Granted formal Royal patronage in 2008, remained the Club's Patron till 2021.
- Dined at the club multiple times between 1979 and 2012.
- HM King Charles III:
- First visited the club on November 29, 1973, for the launch of a new Goon Show book.
- His Majesty met Spike Milligan and Sir Harry Seacombe at the club during the event.
- HRH Prince William & Prince Harry: Honorary Life Members since 2009.
- 1984: The first gentlemen-only club in London to pass a resolution allowing women to join as full members.
- One of the Wealthiest & Most Charitable Clubs in London:
- Between 1914 and 1950, the club spent over £150,000 on charitable projects, including hospitals, hostels, orphanages, and children's summer camps.
- WWI Contributions:
- 1914: Sent Britain’s top entertainers to the frontline to boost troop morale.
- Fundraised for ambulance cars, Red Cross donations, Minesweepers' Fund, hospital building, and soldier retraining programmes.
- Raised over £25,000 (about £2.5M in today's money) for limbless soldiers.
- Regular hospital visits, distributing food, tobacco, and pipes to wounded soldiers.
- Built hospitals and hostels for returning soldiers.
- Post-WWI: Hosted a memorable performance at White City for over 1,000 war veterans.
- 1921: Raised funds to assist the British Government during the Mining Strike.
- 1920-1940: Spent an average of £1,000 per year on other charitable causes.
- WWII Contributions:
- Raised £50,000 (£2.4M in modern money) to support the war effort.
- Many members fought on the frontline.
- Enemy bombs damaged the club’s Ryder Street premises (owned by the Crown Estate), but the building was rescued from demolition and restored by the club members.
- Post-War & 20th Century Fundraising:
- 1940s-1980s:
- Helped rebuild post-war London.
- Assisted National Flood Distress Fund (1947).
- Supported amateur and professional sports.
- 1965: Donated funds to Sail Training Association for the schooner Sir Winston Churchill, used in the Tall Ships Race.
- 1970: Became the new home for 600 bridge players from Crockford’s gaming club, which had lost its premises.
- 1975: Members Joe Davis and Noel Miller-Cheevers helped found the International Snooker League.
- For more about the club's charitable efforts post-1970s, please see here.