Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Berkeley Club
- Abstract:
- Letters from members addressed to the secretary; minutes of meetings, 1873-1960; by-laws, names of members, etc.; copies of papers read at meetings.
- Extent:
- Number of containers: 1 box, 3 cartons
- Language:
- English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Covering the period from its inception to its demise, these papers consist of letters addressed to the Club's secretary; organizational records, including minutes of meetings (complete except for the period 1942-1947); and copies of some of the papers presented at meetings.
- Biographical / historical:
-
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.
- Acquisition information:
- These papers came to the Bancroft Library from several sources. Some were transferred from the University of California Archives; some were collected from members by Arthur J. Pillsbury, 1933-1938, and presented to the Library; some were removed from the Papers of Leon J. Richardson, one-time secretary of the Club; the last volume of minutes was presented by the last secretary, Colonel Roland Pinger.
- Physical location:
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft LibraryBerkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
- Contact:
- 510-642-6481