The Poker Club facts for kids
The Poker Club was a special group of people who met in Scotland a long time ago, starting in 1762. It was one of many clubs that were part of the Scottish Enlightenment. This was a time when smart thinkers in Scotland shared new ideas about science, philosophy, and how society should work. The club was a friendly place where members could talk and share their thoughts.
What Was the Poker Club?
The Poker Club began in 1762. It was formed after another group, called The Select Society, ended.
The club was first known as the Militia Club. It was created in Edinburgh to help start a special army, called a militia, in Scotland. A militia is a group of ordinary citizens who can be called upon to defend their country, similar to a reserve army.
The people who started the club believed that having a national militia was very important for Scotland. At the time, a law about militias (the Militia Act of 1757) only applied to England, not Scotland. A plan to create a Scottish militia was turned down in 1760.
Because the idea of a militia was a bit controversial, the club's name was changed. Adam Smith, a famous thinker, suggested the new name: The Poker. Just like a fireplace poker stirs a fire to make it burn brighter, the club wanted to "stir up" the idea of a Scottish militia. This new name made it harder for everyone to know what the club was really about.
Why Did the Club End?
The Poker Club eventually stopped meeting. Adam Smith said there were two main reasons. First, the members started to disagree more, and they weren't as excited about their goal anymore. Second, it became too expensive for members to join and attend the meetings.
Who Were the Members?
Many important thinkers and writers from Edinburgh and nearby areas were part of the Poker Club. One member, Dr. Carlyle, said that almost all the smart people in Edinburgh were members.
The club was not fancy or expensive. Dinner was served early in the afternoon and cost only one shilling per person. Members could only drink sherry and claret wine. The bill was called at six o'clock in the evening.
The first fifteen members were chosen by others. After that, new members were chosen by ballot, which is a secret vote. If two members voted against someone (called a "black ball"), that person could not join.
A new leader, called a "preses" (chairman), was chosen at each meeting. The club also had three special roles:
- The Secretary: Sir William Pulteney
- The Assassin: Andrew Crosbie
- The Assassin’s Assessor: David Hume
The "Assassin" and "Assassin's Assessor" roles were just for fun and meant to be humorous. David Hume had to agree to any decisions made by the "Assassin," so there was no real trouble!
A record book from 1776 lists 43 members. Some well-known members included:
- Joseph Black
- "Jupiter" Carlyle
- Sir John Clerk of Eldin
- Henry Dundas
- Adam Ferguson
- Lord Elibank
- Sir John Dalrymple
- John Hume
- David Hume
- William Robertson
- John Robison
- George Dempster
- Adam Smith
See also
- Edinburgh Cape Club
- Crochallan Fencibles
