The Athenæum

The Athenæum’s founder, John Wilson Croker, was a paradoxical figure, who wanted the Club to be a neutral meeting-point for experts across different fields: Croker was an Irish Protestant who nonetheless favoured Catholic emancipation; and even though he was a Conservative, he wanted a majority of the Athenæum’s original committee to be Whigs (later Liberals), to ensure a balance of different opinions. The Club took a non-denominational approach, ensuring members of many different faiths, and none — again unusual for London clubs. Its name reflected the growing interest in Hellenism and the learning of the ancient world which, as much as science, was to shape the elite-educated culture of the 19th and early 20th century.

19th century London saw an explosion of private members’ clubs as a way of bringing people together and organising; and these included themed clubs for shared political or literary interests, or social, educational or military background. While the Athenæum was far from being the only club around the arts and sciences, it was arguably the most eminent – it has been described as being, ‘as much a national honour society as a club’, although this is a term the Athenæum has avoided using.

The Athenæum commissioned Decimus Burton to build its neo-classical Grecian revival clubhouse. It was highly influential on other clubs that followed. Taking the design motifs of a Greek temple, it was the first club to be based around a large, central atrium, encouraging members to talk to one another as they circulated. In this it mirrored the Athenæums of Ancient Greece, which brought poets, philosophers, and orators together around a shared space. The building opened in 1830, at 107 Pall Mall. In its early years it integrated highly experimental technology, including being one of the earliest London buildings to use gaslight in the 1830s, telegraph wires in the 1850s, electrical light in the 1880s, and an electrical lift in the 1900s. A large gilded statue of Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom, stands over the main entrance. The frieze around the building is based on that of the Parthenon; at the time of its completion, the British Museum was still keeping the original marbles in storage, so the Athenæum’s copy on its exterior was the first public exhibition of these designs in Britain.

The Athenæum also maintains one of the fullest archives of any club in London, including complete membership records stretching back to its foundation in 1824, as well as records of club events. The archives are held on-site, in a dedicated facility.

Membership focuses on talks, concerts and reading; and it has long hosted discussion groups, such as the Rainbow Circle (1893-1966), and the Romney Street Group (1917-present).

Originally limited to 1,000 members in its first year, the Athenæum has over 2,000 members today, including those overseas. It has had 51 Nobel Prize Winners, including in each category.