In 1937, Richard H. Fleming, Denis L. Fox, Martin W. Johnson, and Roger R.D. Revelle founded a discussion club. It was first planned that the membership of the group would be equally divided between business and professional people of La Jolla and scientists of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The Club did not adopt a name until September 7, 1945 when members unanimously voted to call the group the Sumner Club in honor of SIO Professor Francis Bertody Sumner who had died the previous day. The first membership rules were passed by the Club on January 30, 1941 when the members resolved to limit active members to sixteen elected by the group by secret ballot. A vote of at least three-quarters of the group was required for election. Guests could attend only one meeting each year. A memoranda to the members from Francis B. Sumner, Executive Secretary, dated December 31, 1944 acknowledged that the Club had more SIO members than members representative of La Jolla. Meetings of the Sumner Club were generally held once each three weeks at the home of a member who served as host. The Club was addressed by a member or guest speaker. Topics of meetings include politics and current events, philosophy, science, social science, literature, religion, history, and travel. Long standing Club members include Francis Shepard, Marston Sargent, Claude ZoBell, Carl Hubbs. The Club has no constitution and no formal officers. Minutes are kept by a different host each year.
