Celebrating Eccentricity

since 1781

Known in its various incarnations as The Illustrious Society of Eccentrics, The Everlasting Society of Eccentrics, and The Eccentric Society Club, it was once one of the most important institutions of British society. Its name is a long-established and reputable social brand; its members shaped British culture into what it is today, and its history is inseparable from that of Great Britain itself.

Founded and launched several times by seemingly unrelated and socially different groups of people, it served as a meeting point for many great and original minds, pioneers of thought in artistic, literary, theatrical, scientific, legal, and political circles. It provided an amicable environment for their recreational and creative pastime and a testing ground for novel and controversial theories and approaches to issues equally important to British society and all of mankind.

Originally, it was an offshoot of the popular Whig debating club called The Brilliants, whose members famously included Richard Brinsley Sheridan, James Fox and William Pitt the Younger. 

The original Eccentrics swore not to hold debates on political and religious subjects but to celebrate “Good Fellowship” and “True Sociality” – “virtues which are getting rare and eccentric”. This political impartiality had saved the club more than once from closure. 

In 1799-1803, The Society of Eccentrics was the talk of the town, and experienced rapid growth. 

The Industrial Revolution opened the gates to technological advancements throughout the Empire, and many members of the Club found their rightful place in it. Others became prominent figures in Law, Politics, Literature, and the Arts.

The club's new home was the old Pelican Club on Denman Street, but by 1914, it moved to 9-11 Ryder Street, St. James's, where it remained until its closure in 1984 for renovation, during which the club lost many of its older members (who died of old age or resigned) and the lease of its premises. 

Club membership has changed significantly throughout its history. In the 1780s, it consisted primarily of politicians, lawyers, and journalists; in the 1890s, artists and actors; and in the 1980s, businessmen, actors, and sportsmen.

For many years, the club has housed the Grand Order of Water Rats, an elite professional organisation of British actors and entertainers, and the Lighthouse Club, a charitable organisation in the construction industry.

In 2008, a mix of the original members and a few new recruits from other London clubs brought it back to life yet again, though the club had no permanent clubhouse and has been using the premises of other London clubs for many years since. 

HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was an Honorary Life Member of the club since the 1980s, formally granted his Royal patronage to the revived club and, even following his retirement from royal public duties in August 2017, he nevertheless confirmed the continuation of this patronage, of which he remained proud until his death in April 2021.

Presently, the club membership consists of some remarkable gentlemen and ladies, including many prominent figures known for their achievements in the fields of Art, Law, Politics, Science, and Business. 

We have in our midst many actors, restaurateurs, property developers whose projects are changing the London skyline, antiquarians, fashion and furniture designers, writers, artists, performers, professional sportsmen, barristers, judges, inventors and, of course, members of the aristocracy.