The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

[ Previous ][ Next ]

The Club at the Temple Coffee House Revisited

Secondary Title (i.e. Proceedings Title): Periodical Title:Archives of Natural History Publication Type:article Authors:Riley, Margaret Editors: Publisher: Place of Publication: Publication Date:2006 Alternate Date (i.e. Conference Date): Volume:33 Issue: Start Page:90 End Page:100 Abstract:A club which met at the Temple Coffee House, near Fleet Street in London, during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries is now well known and is considered to be the “earliest natural history society in Britain”. Probably initiated by Hans Sloane (1660–1753) and his close friends, it is referred to in manuscripts as a botanic club, and drew together some of the most active natural historians of the day. Evidence of its business was originally found in remarks scattered through their correspondence. Errors, however, were later discovered in the way this material was interpreted, leading to the assumption that more was known about the club’s activities than the facts supported: a membership of forty is an often repeated mistake. This reappraisal of the documentation is made in the light of further research. Some authors concluded that meetings were merely informal gatherings, but comments in The transactioneer (1700), a satirical tract against Sloane, reveal details about the organisation of these occasions. Together with additional archival references, they show that, even when the initial evidence is re-assessed to take account of earlier inaccuracies, the club was indeed a significant focal point for scientific virtuosi and for promoting botanical knowledge. Descriptors/Keywords: ISBN: URL:
Documents in Print Item: No Documents Listed in Print Item Attached People: Mentions or references - Temple Coffee House club (-)
Mentioned or referenced by - Dale, Samuel (bap. 1659-18 Mar 1739)
Mentions or references - Sherard, William (27 Feb 1658/9-11 Aug 1728)
Mentions or references - Dandridge, Joseph (1665-23 Dec 1747)
Mentions or references - Petiver, James (c. 1665-Apr 1718)
Mentions or references - Robinson, Tancred (1657/8-1748)
Mentioned or referenced by - Courten, William (28 Mar 1642-26 Mar 1702)
Mentions or references - Hatton, Charles (1635-1708)
Mentioned or referenced by - Compton, Henry (1631/2-1713)
 Location(s): Mentioned - The White Cross (sign) (Commercial establishment) -> Aldersgate Street (Address)
Mentioned - Temple Coffee House (Commercial establishment) -> Devereux Court (Address)
Mentioned - Chelsea Physic Garden (Site) -> Chelsea (Settlement)
 Bibliographic Source(s): No Bibliographic Sources Attached To This Item
 Items Which List This As A Bibliographic Source: None Images Contained: No Images Attached To This Item
 Objects Contained: No Objects Attached To This Item
 Annotation: