Glasgow University Club, London (alumni society: 1886-1982: London, England)

The Glasgow University Club, London , was founded in 1886 , in London, England, its stated objects being "to maintain good fellowship among its members and to promote the interests of the University of Glasgow ". The principal activity of the club was the Annual Dinner, held traditionally on the first Thursday of November, with the exception of the war years. The choice of Thursday for this event was apparently to coincide with the custom of doctors having a half-day on Thursdays. From 1950 onwards, the dinner was held at the Trocadero Restaurant, London, and latterly at the Cumberland Hotel, London. Until the mid 1970s there was also an annual Sherry Party held in the summer. It was the tradition, on the occasion of the Dinner, to invite a guest speaker to propose the Alma Mater, and to act as Chairman for the event.

From 1975 onwards, ladies were invited to attend the Dinner which, until that time, like the club itself, was an all-male preserve. There had been an attempt in the 1920s to open the membership of the club to ladies, following a request by some ladies for membership. However, despite a members' ballot in favour of allowing this, the club's controlling Council decided that this was not in the club's best interests. Membership of the club was "limited to men who are graduates of the University of Glasgow, or have been students there, or have been officially connected with the University".

The club was administered by a Council made up of a president, up to four or more vice-presidents, 12 ordinary members, an honorary treasurer and 2 honorary secretaries.

Throughout the lifetime of the club, the annual subscription remained at five shillings, with an entry fee of ten shillings and sixpence, and a life-membership fee of three guineas.

In 1982 , after deliberating over several years, a decision was made to wind up the Club.

Heggie, James F, 'Glasgow Graduates in London', College Courant , 69 ( September 1982 , pp.24-27)

From the guide to the Records of Glasgow University Club, London, 1886-1982, alumni society, London, England, 1889-1982, (Glasgow University Archive Services)