British Clubs and Societies 1580-1800

This book provides the first account of the rise of these most distinctive, widespread and powerful of social institutions in Georgian Britain: the British clubs and societies, thousands of which had swept the country by 1800. 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 examines their long term impact on British Society which continues up to the present day.