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Boodle's
Gentlemen's club
Founded 1762; 263 years ago (1762)
Founder William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne
Headquarters London, SW1

Boodle's is a very old and famous private club for men in London. It was started in January 1762. The club was founded by Lord Shelburne, who later became a very important political leader and even a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

History of Boodle's Club

The club first opened its doors at No. 50 Pall Mall in London. It was next to a tavern run by a man named William Almack. Because of this, the club was first known as Almack's.

How the Club Started

Almack's was created to be different from another popular club called White's. The rules of the new club were very strict. One rule said that members of Almack's could not also be members of White's. This showed they wanted their own special group.

The club's first rule book, kept by William Almack, still exists today. It shows how the club was meant to be run. On January 1, 1762, it said that Almack had taken a new house just for this club.

Joining the Club

At first, anyone could join by signing their name. But after February 10, 1762, new members had to be voted in. This vote happened by secret ballot. If even one person voted "no" (called a "black ball"), you couldn't join. The club decided to limit its total members to 250 people.

Thirteen managers were chosen to help run the club and make sure the rules were followed. They served for one year. After that, each manager chose someone new to take their place. Changing the club's rules was very hard. It needed everyone to agree, and at least thirty members had to be present.

The Club Changes and Moves

In March 1764, the club seemed to split into two groups. We don't know exactly why this happened. It might have been because members had different political ideas. Or maybe some wanted to gamble more than the rules allowed.

One of these new groups moved to No. 49, which was Almack's tavern. This club later became known as Brooks's. The other group stayed at No. 50. This was the club that would become Boodle's.

Edward Boodle worked with William Almack for a few years. Edward Boodle then took over running the club at No. 50. The rules of Boodle's were very similar to the original Almack's rules. This shows that Boodle's was either a continuation of the first club or a new version with a new manager.

Boodle's Becomes Famous

Edward Boodle fully took over the club around 1768. From then on, people started talking about Boodle's more often. A famous historian named Edward Gibbon mentioned Boodle's in his letters. He even became a member and helped manage the club in 1770.

Edward Boodle passed away in 1772. The members decided that Ben Harding would take over the club. Even with a new owner, the club kept the name Boodle's. In 1783, Boodle's moved from Pall Mall.

Boodle's is known as one of the most respected clubs in London. Many important British noblemen and politicians have been members. It is the second oldest club in the world, with only White's being older. The club even has its own special dessert called Boodle's Orange Fool!

Political Connections

Early members of Boodle's were often against the foreign policies of William Pitt the Elder. They were allies of Lord Shelburne. Today, the club is generally seen as connected to the Conservative Party. Many current and past members have held important roles in the party. However, the club is not officially tied to any political party.

During the Regency era (early 1800s), Boodle's was known as the club for the English country gentlemen. White's was more for the nobility. Four members of Boodle's have won the Victoria Cross, a very brave award. Sir Winston Churchill, a famous Prime Minister, was made an honorary member. It's said that Beau Brummell, a famous fashion leader, made his last bet at the club before leaving the country. Today, you can only join Boodle's if you are nominated and then voted in by other members.

The Current Location

In 1782, Boodle's moved to its current home at 28 St. James's Street, London. The building was designed by John Crunden in 1775. Parts of the ground floor were updated later by John Buonarotti Papworth.

Notable members

Many famous people have been members of Boodle's. Here are some of them:

Boodle's in Books and Movies

Boodle's Club has appeared in many stories and films.

  • The author Ian Fleming is thought to have based the "Blades Club" in his James Bond novels on Boodle's. Boodle's itself is mentioned in the Bond books Moonraker and You Only Live Twice.
  • In the TV show The Avengers, Boodle's is mentioned. In the 1998 Avengers movie, the character Emma Peel walks into Boodle's. Someone says that no women had been in Boodle's since 1762!
  • The club is mentioned in the novel The Double Agents. It talks about how Ian Fleming and David Niven were members. It also mentions their friendship and their involvement in intelligence during World War II.
  • In the play A Penny for a Song, a character talks about Boodle's as a peaceful place away from the world's worries.
  • In Oscar Wilde's play An Ideal Husband, a character says that Lord Goring is a good example of someone from Boodle's Club.
  • Charles Dickens mentioned "Lords Boodle and Coodle" in his novel Bleak House. This was a playful way to talk about the powerful politicians of the time.
  • In the movie Operation Crossbow (1965), a character suggests Boodle's as a place to stop after spy interviews.
  • In Bernard Cornwell's novel Gallows Thief, Boodle's is compared to a fictional club.
  • The club is often mentioned in the TV series Downton Abbey.
  • In the Walt Disney Pictures movie Jungle Cruise (film), the character MacGregor Houghton dreams he is having lunch at Boodle's.

See also

  • List of London's gentlemen's clubs
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