Berkeley Club

History Note

The Berkeley Club had its origin in a dinner meeting held January 13, 1873 at the home of Daniel C. Gilman, president of the University of California, with Henry Durant, Martin Kellogg and Dr. J. K. McLean present. The purpose was to consider the formation of a club to discuss literary, social and scientific questions. There was further discussion of the proposal at another dinner meeting on February 6, which Joseph LeConte, George Mooar and Joseph A. Benton also attended. At the meeting, the name Berkeley Club was adopted, and the first formal meeting was held on February 13 with fifteen charter members present. At each successive meeting, held fortnightly, a paper was presented by a member previously appointed, followed by a discussion in which all participated. The range of discussion was great, reflecting the varied backgrounds of the members, most of whom were professors, clergymen, lawyers and businessmen. The Club continued in existence for eighty-eight years, the last meeting held September 8, 1960.

From the guide to the Berkeley Club Papers, 1873-1960, (The Bancroft Library)