Identity area
Reference code
RB/CBS/RC
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 1907-1977 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
3 volumes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Raleigh Club was founded in 1907 and consisted of members who had been to a continent other than Europe. It was managed by an elected President, Vice President and Secretary, while membership was limited to eighteen. They met at least twice a term where papers were presented on various non-European countries.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Transferred from the originating body to the College Library and then to the Archive.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records consist of minute books.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open access - no restrictions.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
The Raleigh Club appears to have been concerned with exploration and travel. The Club’s members and guests read papers about their international experiences and observations. Some of these papers have been reproduced in the College magazine.
However, the Club’s Minute Book for the period (1907-1924) is quite illuminating (Ref.: CBS:RC/01/01). ‘K. H. S. Cohen’ attended meetings between October 1922 and April 1923. Here is a list of the meetings he attended.
• 22/10/1922: Sir George Cory gave a paper on the history of South Africa. Mr Cohen was one of five Naval Officers who attended as guests. The others were G. P. Packard, R. Gotto, S. J. Cronyn and G. M. S. Stitt.
• 5/11/1922: Mr. Dennis Jones gave a paper on his journey down the Nile.
• 26/11/1922: Mr. Mois gave an account of his visit to South America. This time the same Naval Officers who are named above were included as ‘Quaint Naval Members’.
• 21/01/1923: Dr. Somervell gave a paper about a Mount Everest expedition. Mr. Cohen did not attend the next two meetings after this.
• 04/03/1923: Col G. H. Addison spoke about China. Mr. Cohen co-hosted this meeting with Mr. Stitt; both were thanked for their hospitality.
• 21/04/1923: This was the annual dinner and the Minute Book includes a copy of the menu and a list of members. Mr. Cohen was listed as a Quaint Member alongside other Naval Officers.
The Raleigh Club Minute Book contains a list of rules at the back. The most significant rule seems to be number two:
'To be eligible for membership candidates must be members of Gonville & Caius College and must have lived or travelled outside Europe and must have been to at least one meeting as a guest. (For purposes of this rule the Northern Coast of Africa is considered as Europe.)'
Another rule states that any member may be asked to read a paper and another that the Club’s Atlas should be brought to every meeting.
Sometimes members are listed with countries in brackets after their name, presumably naming the area that makes them eligible for membership and indicating what they could be asked to speak on. This happens twice for Mr. Cohen, the first time the area given is ‘Black Sea & Russia’ and the second time it is ‘Asia Minor’.