Synopses & Reviews
This book provides the first account of the rise of these most distinctive, widespread and powerful of social institutions in Georgian Britain. With roots in the early modern era, British clubs and societies swept the country by 1800, when they numbered in the thousands, and their influence continues today. Looking at the complex mosaic of clubs and societies, ranging from freemasonry to bird-fancying, the author considers the reasons for their successful development, their export to America and the colonies, and their impact on British Society.
Review
"Clark has nontheless offered the most comprehensive account we could desire of a fascinating aspect of eighteenth-century culture"--Albion
Review
"Peter Clark here contributes the first general view of the varieties and purposes of association in the English-speaking world... In terms of wealth of data, no study approaches this account...Compelling, well supported by telling evidence, circumspectly argued, and prudently antihyperbolic in its claims." William and Mary Quarterly
Synopsis
This book provides the first account of the rise of these most distinctive, widespread and powerful of social institutions in Georgian Britain. With roots in the early modern era, British clubs and societies swept the country by 1800, when they numbered in the thousands, and their influence continues today. Looking at the complex mosaic of clubs and societies, ranging from freemasonry to bird-fancying, the author considers the reasons for their successful development, their export to America and the colonies, and their impact on British Society.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Emergence: To 1688
3. National Expansion: 1688-1760
4. An Associational World: 1760-1800
5. Engines of Growth
6. Membership
7. Organization
8. Regional and Ethnic Societies
9. Freemasons
10. Benefit Clubs
11. Overseas
12. Impact
13. Conclusion