THE HISTORY OF THE SHAKESPEARE CLUB

On the 23 April, 1824, Mr Thomas Hynde, host of The Falcon Inn, and 'a dozen or more worthy citizens of Stratford', held a dinner at The Falcon to commemorate Shakespeare's birthday. Such was the interest and enthusiasm of the those attending that they formed The Shakespeare Club, which quickly achieved a membership of 400 with the Mayor of the day serving as President. By 1830 they had obtained the patronage of the King and became known as the 'Royal Shakespearean Club'.

From its early days the Club led the way in the acquisition and conservation of the houses that belonged to Shakespeare and his family in and around Stratford-upon-Avon, resulting in the purchase for the nation of Shakespeare's Birthplace in 1847 and the foundation of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The following year four adjacent cottages were purchased, putting a severe strain on the Club's finances at that time. Members were able to raise only a small sum for the proposed Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in 1875, and straitened financial circumstances in the 1880s led the Club to turn its attentions to other activities. It began to present lectures and after-dinner speeches which were hugely successful and the Club became known for its distinguished speakers. The annual Shakespeare Birthday pageants and processions to Holy Trinity Church were inaugurated by the Shakespeare Club with King Edward VI Grammar School and the wreath carried each year by the Club's President, from Shakespeare's birthplace to his grave in the church is one of six which remain displayed for a month in the chancel, in recognition of the Club's early contribution.

The Shakespeare Club continues to maintain its reputation for social gatherings and informative talks, and meetings today still attract contributions from prominent academics and leading actors from stage and screen.

After the First World War guest speakers of the Club included such memorable names as the theatre director William Poel, Lilian Baylis founder of the Old Vic, and the actor Baliol Holloway. Later, and serving as Presidents, came Sir John Gielgud, Sir Tyrone Guthrie, Dame Peggy Ashcroft and scholar and biographer Lord David Cecil. More recent Presidents have included Sir Donald Sinden, Dame Judi Dench, Dr Jonathan Miller, Professor Jonathan Bate, Sir Nigel Hawthorne and Gregory Doran.

To find out more about the history of the Club visit the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Library and Archive, Stratford–upon-Avon where the records and souvenirs of the Club are deposited.