Reform Club

The The Reform Club is a traditional British Club on the south side of Pall Mall (number 104) in the center of London.

Overview

He was accompanied by members of the Whig ( Liberal Party ) from both Houses of Parliament on the occasion of the debates around the Reform Act of 1832 established and should promote liberal and progressive thinking. The founding members were sure that it would increase the attractiveness of the club, if the club can provide both a well-equipped library and suitable salons, but could offer an excellent cuisine members also. As first chef Alexis Soyer therefore was hired, who became one of the most famous chefs of the Victorian age.

Women become members since the 1960s. Like the house, the building adjacent to the Travellers Club was designed by Sir Charles Barry and opened 1841. The club emerged as the political headquarters of the Liberal Party.

Today the club is no longer associated with a particular political party and has only even social function. The members are men and women from different walks of life. On the night of 18 February 2006, the club was barely spared from a fire disaster. However, part of the roof was completely destroyed.

Known members (selection)

Members were:

• Hilaire Belloc
• Winston Churchill
• Arthur Conan Doyle
• David Lloyd George
• Henry James
• Stella Rimington
• William Makepeace Thackeray
• H. G. Wells
• Lord Dahrendorf

Adaptations

In Jules Verne's novel Around the World in 80 Days Phileas Fogg, the protagonist is a member and begins and ends its journey in the Reform Club. Michael Palin began his produced by the BBC travel documentary " Around the World in 80 Days" ( In the Footsteps of Phileas Fogg ) also in the Reform Club, on his return to the TV crew but the re- entry into the club 80 days later was forbidden.