Johnson's Literary Club

Known as Johnson's Literary Club, The Literary Club and simply The Club during its lifetime, this society was originally set up by the artist Joshua Reynolds in 1764, to provide Samuel Johnson with ready conversation and dining company. The group would meet once a week for supper and debate at the Turks Head tavern in Soho, London, often talking and drinking into the early hours. Consisting of 9 members in 1764, the group quickly expanded to a membership of 12, 16 and then 21, much to Johnson's distaste, which was particularly aimed at the intake of Whig politicians. By 1783 the number had risen again to 35, and Johnson and other older members began dining ever more infrequently, disagreeing with the new company. Shortly before his death, in 1783 Johnson established The Essex Head Club, a smaller and more exclusive set of diners, which would be disbanded by the late 1780s. The original Literary Club however, would survive Johnson's death, with a flourishing membership reaching approximately 50 members by the late 20th century.