Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1821-1989 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
15 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Political Economy Club was founded in 1821 to support the principles of free trade. The prime mover for the formation of the society appears to have been Thomas Tooke (1774-1858), economist, perhaps at the instigation of David Ricardo. The first meeting, on 18 April 1821, took place at the house of Swinton Holand, a partner in Baring and Co, and James Mill was given the task of preparing a draft set of rules for consideration. The first full meeting of the Club took place on 30 April at the Freemason's Tavern.
From the beginning, the Club was composed mainly of businessmen, followed by politicans, civil servants and professional economists. Each meeting was to discuss 'some doubt or question on some topic of political economy' and no official record was kept of the discussion. At first the rules of the Club stated that the remarks of the opening and subsequent speakers should not be written down, although later on opening speakers were allowed to circulate a printed synopsis of their argument. Eventually the practise of reading a written paper became the norm.
The Political Economy Club continues to meet to the present day.
Archival history
GB 0097 PEC 1821-1989 collection 15 boxes Political Economy Club
The Political Economy Club was founded in 1821 to support the principles of free trade. The prime mover for the formation of the society appears to have been Thomas Tooke (1774-1858), economist, perhaps at the instigation of David Ricardo. The first meeting, on 18 April 1821, took place at the house of Swinton Holand, a partner in Baring and Co, and James Mill was given the task of preparing a draft set of rules for consideration. The first full meeting of the Club took place on 30 April at the Freemason's Tavern.
From the beginning, the Club was composed mainly of businessmen, followed by politicans, civil servants and professional economists. Each meeting was to discuss 'some doubt or question on some topic of political economy' and no official record was kept of the discussion. At first the rules of the Club stated that the remarks of the opening and subsequent speakers should not be written down, although later on opening speakers were allowed to circulate a printed synopsis of their argument. Eventually the practise of reading a written paper became the norm.
The Political Economy Club continues to meet to the present day.
Deposited by the Political Economy Club in 2001.
Papers of the Political Economy Club, include minute book, 1821-1824, with loose handwritten minutes by James Mill, 1821; minute book 1911-1919; membership records, c 1920s-1960s; nominations book, 1917-1927; Sydney Caine's files as secretary, 1958-1968; secretary's files, 1927-1929, 1966, 1969 and 1973-1976; typescript copies of speeches, correspondence and other documents relating to the Political Economy Club, 1883-1897; treasurer's files, 1959-1965, 1967-1984 and 1985-1989; bank correspondence, 1975-1988; accounts and balance sheets, 1927-1949; correspondence relating to printing, 1977-1979; correspondence files, 1914-1951; lists of members, 1977-1985; bank book, 1924-1932; membership subscription papers, 1966-1967; minutes of centenary meeting, 1921; rules, 1917-1976, with printed membership lists, notices of membership nominations and ephemera; correspondence, c1830s; printed volumes relating to the Club's history
Unsorted
Open
Bound volumes may not be photocopied. No material may be published without the prior permission of both the copyright holder and the Library. All applications for publication must be made to the Archivist in the first instance, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user.
English
No additional finding aids.
Sources: Copied from LSE Archives CALM database by Anna Towlson.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Apr 2008 Caine , Sir , Sydney , 1902-1990 , Knight , public servant Clubs Economic history Economics Leisure Leisure time activities Mill , James , 1773-1836 , philosopher Political Economy Club Political science Politics
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited by the Political Economy Club in 2001.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of the Political Economy Club, include minute book, 1821-1824, with loose handwritten minutes by James Mill, 1821; minute book 1911-1919; membership records, c 1920s-1960s; nominations book, 1917-1927; Sydney Caine's files as secretary, 1958-1968; secretary's files, 1927-1929, 1966, 1969 and 1973-1976; typescript copies of speeches, correspondence and other documents relating to the Political Economy Club, 1883-1897; treasurer's files, 1959-1965, 1967-1984 and 1985-1989; bank correspondence, 1975-1988; accounts and balance sheets, 1927-1949; correspondence relating to printing, 1977-1979; correspondence files, 1914-1951; lists of members, 1977-1985; bank book, 1924-1932; membership subscription papers, 1966-1967; minutes of centenary meeting, 1921; rules, 1917-1976, with printed membership lists, notices of membership nominations and ephemera; correspondence, c1830s; printed volumes relating to the Club's history
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Unsorted
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open
Conditions governing reproduction
Bound volumes may not be photocopied. No material may be published without the prior permission of both the copyright holder and the Library. All applications for publication must be made to the Archivist in the first instance, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
No additional finding aids.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English