The University Pitt Club, popularly referred to as the Pitt Club, the UPC, or merely as Club, is a private members' club of the

University of Cambridge The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...

. It was formerly male-only, and has admitted women since 2017.

History

The Pitt Club was founded in

Michaelmas term Michaelmas ( ) term is the first academic term of the academic year in a number of English-speaking universities and schools in the northern hemisphere, especially in the United Kingdom. Michaelmas term derives its name from the Feast of St M ...

1835, named in honour of Prime Minister

William Pitt the Younger William Pitt (28 May 1759 – 23 January 1806) was a British statesman who served as the last prime minister of Kingdom of Great Britain, Great Britain from 1783 until the Acts of Union 1800, and then first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, p ...

, who had been a student at

Pembroke College, Cambridge Pembroke College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college is the third-oldest college of the university and has over 700 students and fellows. It is one of the university's larger colleges, with buildings from ...

. It was originally intended as one of the Pitt Clubs, a series of political clubs set up across

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...

, 'to do honour to the name and memory of Mr William Pitt, to uphold in general the political principles for which he stood'. In particular the University Pitt Club was intended 'to assist the local party organisations of the town of Cambridge to return worthy, that is to say,

Tory A Tory () is an individual who supports a political philosophy known as Toryism, based on a British version of traditionalist conservatism which upholds the established social order as it has evolved through the history of Great Britain. The To ...

, representatives to

Parliament In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws, and overseeing ...

and to the Borough Council'. From the start, however, there was a social element as the club's political events were combined with 'the pleasures of social intercourse at dinner, when party fervour among friends, dining in party uniform, might be warmed towards a political incandescence by the speeches to successive toasts'. Over the course of the Pitt Club's first few decades, the political element diminished whilst the social element increased. By '1868, at the latest, the Pitt Club adceased from all political activity and . . . elected members to its social advantages without any regards whatever to considerations of political party'. Though the club's ''raison d'être'' changed in its early years, it 'was from the first, and has always remained, an undergraduate organization'. The Pitt Club has been in almost continuous operation since its founding. During the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, however, the club's existence became increasingly tenuous as more Cambridge men joined the forces. It temporarily closed in October 1917 but reopened in early 1919. By 1920, the club had 'become nearly normal again, "the only real trouble", according to the Minutes, "being the horrible scarcity of

whisky Whisky or whiskey is a type of liquor made from Fermentation in food processing, fermented grain mashing, mash. Various grains (which may be Malting, malted) are used for different varieties, including barley, Maize, corn, rye, and wheat. Whisky ...

'". The premises were commandeered during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

and made available to the public. One observer, A. S. F. Gow, remarked at the time that the Pitt Club's 'eponymous hero looks down from the pediment, with a nose visibly tiptilted in disgust, upon an enormous notice displaying the legend "

British Restaurant British Restaurants were communal kitchens created in 1940 during the Second World War to help people who had been bombed out of their homes, had run out of ration coupons or otherwise needed help. In 1943, 2,160 British Restaurants served 600,0 ...

"'. As for the members, they were forced to seek alternative accommodation and eventually settled for temporary rooms above the post office in Trinity Street, which they called the Interim Club. On 7 November 2017, a referendum to elect women into the club passed. This did not pass without controversy, though, with only resident members being granted a vote.

Clubhouse

The club was a peripatetic organisation during its first few years, meeting variously in the rooms of members and in other venues. In 1841, it acquired rooms over the shop of Mr Richard Hutt, bookseller, at 29 Trinity Street, which it occupied until 1843. From 1843 until 1866, the Pitt Club's rooms were located over the furniture shop of a Mr Metcalfe at 74 Bridge Street, on the corner of All Saints' Passage. Since 1866, the club's premises have been at 7a

Jesus Lane Jesus Lane is a street in central Cambridge, England. Also located on Jesus Lane are Wesley House, Methodist theological college (or seminary), on the north side and Westcott House, a Church of England theological college, on the south side ...

. The building was originally designed in 1863 as 'Roman (improved Turkish) Baths' by Sir

Matthew Digby Wyatt Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt (28 July 1820 – 21 May 1877) was a British architect and art historian who became Secretary of the Great Exhibition, Surveyor of the East India Company and the first Slade Professor of Fine Art at the University of Camb ...

for the Roman Bath Co Ltd. The baths were an extremely short-lived venture, opening in late February 1863 and closing by December of that year. After the closure, a liquidation sale ensued, and the building was auctioned off in 1865, being bought by its own architect, Wyatt, for £2,700. He rented out half of the building to the Pitt Club, and the other half to Orme's Billiards Rooms. In 1907, the club bought the entire building. Following a fire in the same year, the interior of the club was extensively renovated. There were further renovations in 1925, and the dining room was panelled in 1927. The large plaque of Pitt's head that adorns the pediment over the entrance to the club was presented in February 1933 by General Sir Neill Malcolm. It had formerly been on a wall at Bowling-Green House in

Putney Putney () is an affluent district in southwest London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London. History Putney is an ...

, Pitt's place of death, which was pulled down in 1932. 7a Jesus Lane front room

For most of the century after its purchase of 7a Jesus Lane, the club occupied the whole of the prominent neo-classical building. The clubhouse was designated a

Grade II listed building In the United Kingdom, a listed building is a structure of particular architectural or historic interest deserving of special protection. Such buildings are placed on one of the four statutory lists maintained by Historic England in England, H ...

in 1950. As the club went through mounting financial difficulties in the 1990s, it sold a 25-year leasehold on the ground floor of its building to the

Pizza Express PizzaExpress (Restaurants) Limited, trading as Pizza Express (also called Pizza Marzano or Milano), is a British multinational pizza restaurant chain. It has over 500 restaurants across the United Kingdom and 100 overseas in Europe, Hong Kong, ...

chain in October 1997, although the ground floor had been in use as a restaurant (once known as Xanadu), since at least 1982. The Pizza Express closed during the Covid-19 pandemic, and from 2023 The Kibou Japanese Kitchen & Bar occupies the ground floor. The club now occupies the first floor of the building.

Notable members

Notable members of the club include:

Royalty

Edward VII Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until Death and state funeral of Edward VII, his death in 1910. The second child ...

of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1841–1910). *

Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale (Albert Victor Christian Edward; 8 January 1864 – 14 January 1892) was the eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra). From the time of his ...

(1864–1892). *

George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until Death and state funeral of George V, his death in 1936. George w ...

of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1865–1936). * Prince

Frederick Duleep Singh Prince Frederick Victor Duleep Singh, MVO, TD, FSA (23 January 1868 – 15 August 1926), also known as Prince Freddy, was the youngest son of Sir Duleep Singh, the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. Early life Prince Frederick was born in L ...

(1868–1926), son of the last

maharaja Maharaja (also spelled Maharajah or Maharaj; ; feminine: Maharani) is a royal title in Indian subcontinent, Indian subcontinent of Sanskrit origin. In modern India and Medieval India, medieval northern India, the title was equivalent to a pri ...

of the

Sikh Empire The Sikh Empire was a regional power based in the Punjab, Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. It existed from 1799, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured Lahore, to 1849, when it was defeated and conquered by the East India Company, Br ...

. * Captain Bertram Brooke, Tuan Muda of Sarawak (heir apparent) of The

Raj of Sarawak The Raj of Sarawak, Kingdom of Sarawak or State of Sarawak, was a kingdom founded in 1841 in northwestern Borneo and was in a Protectorate, treaty of protection with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom from 1888. It ...

(1876–1965). *

Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. Charles was born at Buckingham Palace during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, and ...

of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1948–). *

Princess Theodora of Liechtenstein Princess Theodora of Liechtenstein (''Theodora Alexandra Isabella Antonia Nora Marie''; 20 November 2004) is an environmentalist, equestrian, and member of the Princely family of Liechtenstein. She founded the Green Teen Team Foundation, a cons ...

environmentalist, equestrian and member of the

Princely family of Liechtenstein The House of Liechtenstein (), from which the principality takes its name, is the family which reigns by hereditary right over the principality of Liechtenstein. Only dynastic members of the family are eligible to inherit the throne. The dynasty ...

(2004-).

Academics

(1820–1877), architect, art historian, Secretary of the

Great Exhibition The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, also known as the Great Exhibition or the Crystal Palace Exhibition (in reference to the temporary structure in which it was held), was an international exhibition that took ...

, first

Slade Professor of Fine Art The Slade Professorship of Fine Art is the oldest professorship of art and art history at the universities of Cambridge, Oxford and University College, London. History The chairs were founded concurrently in 1869 by a bequest from the art collect ...

at the University of Cambridge. *

Arthur Christopher Benson Arthur Christopher Benson, (24 April 1862 – 17 June 1925) was an English essayist, poet and academic, who served as the 28th Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. He wrote the lyrics of Edward Elgar's ''Coronation Ode'', including the words ...

(1862–1925), English essayist, poet, author and academic, and the 28th

Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge The following have served as masters of Magdalene College, Cambridge: * 1544–1546: Robert Evans * 1546–1559: Richard Carre * 1559–1576: Roger Kelke * 1576–1577: Richard Howland * 1577–1582: Degory Nicholls * 1582–1593: Thomas Ne ...

. He is noted for having written the words of the song "

Land of Hope and Glory "Land of Hope and Glory" is a British patriotic song, with music by Edward Elgar, written in 1901 and with lyrics by A. C. Benson added in 1902. Composition The music to which the words of the refrain 'Land of Hope and Glory, &c' below ...

". *

M. R. James Montague Rhodes James (1 August 1862 – 12 June 1936) was an English medievalist scholar and author who served as provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918), and of Eton College (1918–1936) as well as Vice-Chancellor of the Univers ...

(1862–1936), author, medievalist, provost of

King's College, Cambridge King's College, formally The King's College of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge, is a List of colleges of the University of Cambridge, constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college lies beside the River Cam and faces ...

(1905–1918), and of Eton College (1918–1936). He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (1913–15). * Walter George Headlam (1866–1908), a British classical scholar and poet, perhaps best remembered for his work on the Mimes of Herodas. He was described as "one of the leading Greek scholars of his time". *

Robert Carr Bosanquet Robert Carr Bosanquet (1871–1935) was a British archaeologist, who excavated in the Aegean and in Britain. He was the first Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Liverpool, teaching there from 1906 to 1920. He was particul ...

(1871–1935), British archaeologist and first holder of the chair of classical archaeology at the University of Liverpool. * John Samuel Budgett (1872–1904), British zoologist and embryologist. * Sir Walter Morley Fletcher (1873–1933), Fellow of

Trinity College, Cambridge Trinity College is a Colleges of the University of Cambridge, constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, Trinity is one of the largest Cambridge colleges, with the largest financial endowment of any ...

, physiologist and medical researcher. *

John Maynard Keynes John Maynard Keynes, 1st Baron Keynes ( ; 5 June 1883 – 21 April 1946), was an English economist and philosopher whose ideas fundamentally changed the theory and practice of macroeconomics and the economic policies of governments. Originall ...

(1883–1946), economist and member of the

Bloomsbury Group The Bloomsbury Group was a group of associated British writers, intellectuals, philosophers and artists in the early 20th century. Among the people involved in the group were Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, E. M. Forster, Vanessa Bell, a ...

. *

James Bond The ''James Bond'' franchise focuses on James Bond (literary character), the titular character, a fictional Secret Intelligence Service, British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels ...

(1900–1989), the namesake for Ian Fleming's character

, ornithologist and expert on the birds of the Caribbean. He was the sole American member of the Pitt Club. * James Hamilton Doggart (1900–1989), leading ophthalmologist, lecturer, writer, cricketer, and a member of the

Cambridge Apostles The Cambridge Apostles (also known as the Conversazione Society) is an intellectual society at the University of Cambridge founded in 1820 by George Tomlinson, a Cambridge student who became the first Bishop of Gibraltar. History Student ...

and the

. *

Anthony Blunt Anthony Frederick Blunt (26 September 1907 – 26 March 1983), (formerly styled Sir Anthony Blunt from 1956 until November 1979), was a leading British art historian and a Soviet spy. Blunt was a professor of art history at the University ...

(1907–1983), spy, leading art historian and member of the

Cambridge Five The Cambridge Five was a ring of spies in the United Kingdom that passed information to the Soviet Union during the Second World War and the Cold War and was active from the 1930s until at least the early 1950s. None of the known members were e ...

. * David Watkin (1941–2018), architectural historian and president of the University Pitt Club.

Politicians

George Smythe, 7th Viscount Strangford George Smythe, 7th Viscount Strangford (16 April 181823 November 1857), styled The Honourable George Smythe until 1855, was a British Conservative politician, best known for his association with Benjamin Disraeli and the Young England movemen ...

(1818–1857), a British Conservative politician, best known for his association with Benjamin Disraeli and the Young England movement. He served briefly as under-secretary of state for foreign affairs in 1846 under Sir Robert Peel. He was president of the University Pitt Club. *

John Manners, 7th Duke of Rutland John James Robert Manners, 7th Duke of Rutland, (13 December 18184 August 1906), known as Lord John Manners before 1888, was a British statesman. Youth and poetry Rutland was born at Belvoir Castle, the younger son of John Manners, 5th Du ...

(1818–1906), English statesman, postmaster-general, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and poet. * James Agar, 3rd Earl of Normanton (1818–1896), Conservative Party politician. *

Edward Herbert, 3rd Earl of Powis Edward James Herbert, 3rd Earl of Powis (5 November 1818 – 7 May 1891), styled Viscount Clive between 1839 and 1848, was a British peer and politician. Background Powis was born at The Angel Hotel, Pershore, Worcestershire, the eldest son ...

(1818–1891), British peer and politician. * Lord George Manners (1820–1874), British nobleman and Conservative Party politician. * George Hay, Earl of Gifford (1822–1862), British Liberal politician. *

Horatio Nelson, 3rd Earl Nelson Horatio Nelson, 3rd Earl Nelson, (7 August 1823 – 25 February 1913), was a British politician. He was the son of Thomas Nelson, 2nd Earl Nelson, Thomas Bolton (a nephew of Vice Admiral (Royal Navy), Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount ...

(1823–1913), British politician. *

Frederick Peel Sir Frederick Peel (26 October 1823 – 6 June 1906) was a British Liberal Party politician and railway commissioner. Background and education Peel was second son of Sir Robert Peel, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and his wife Julia, ...

(1823–1906), British Liberal Party politician and railway commissioner. *

William Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Exeter William Alleyne Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Exeter PC (30 April 1825 – 14 July 1895), styled Lord Burghley between 1825 and 1867, was a British peer and Conservative politician. He served as Treasurer of the Household between 1866 and 1867 and a ...

(1825–1895), British peer and politician. *

Edward Macnaghten, Baron Macnaghten Edward Macnaghten, Baron Macnaghten, (3 February 1830 – 17 February 1913) was an Anglo-Irish law lord, barrister, rower, and Conservative- Unionist politician. Early life and rowing Macnaghten was born in Bloomsbury, London, the second so ...

(1830–1913), Anglo-Irish rower, barrister, Conservative-Unionist politician and law lord. * Hugh Fortescue, 4th Earl Fortescue (1854–1932), British Liberal politician. *

Alfred Lyttelton Alfred Lyttelton KC (7 February 1857 – 5 July 1913) was a British politician and sportsman from the Lyttelton family who excelled at both football and cricket. During his time at university he participated in Varsity Matches in five sport ...

(1857–1913), politician and the first man to represent England at both football and cricket. Secretary of State for the Colonies between 1903 and 1905. *

Ivo Bligh, 8th Earl of Darnley Ivo Francis Walter Bligh, 8th Earl of Darnley (13 March 1859 – 10 April 1927), styled The Honourable Ivo Bligh until 1900, lord of the manor of Cobham, Kent, was a British nobleman, parliamentarian and cricketer. Bligh captained the Engl ...

(1859–1927), aristocrat, parliamentarian and cricketer. *

William Bridgeman, 1st Viscount Bridgeman William Clive Bridgeman, 1st Viscount Bridgeman, PC, JP, DL (31 December 1864 – 14 August 1935) was a British Conservative politician and peer. He notably served as Home Secretary between 1922 and 1924. He was also an active cricketer. ...

(1864–1935), former home secretary between 1922 and 1924 and an active cricketer. *

Lancelot Lowther, 6th Earl of Lonsdale Lancelot Edward Lowther, 6th Earl of Lonsdale, Order of the British Empire, OBE, Deputy Lieutenant, DL (25 June 1867 – 11 March 1953) was an English peer, the fourth and youngest son of Henry Lowther, 3rd Earl of Lonsdale. Biography Lowther wa ...

(1867–1953), British peer. *

Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire Victor Christian William Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire (31 May 18686 May 1938), known as Victor Cavendish until 1908, was a British peer and politician who served as Governor General of Canada. A member of the Cavendish family, Victor ...

(1868–1938), British peer and politician who served as Governor-General of Canada. *

Edward Grenfell, 1st Baron St Just Edward Charles Grenfell, 1st Baron St Just (29 May 1870 – 26 November 1941), was a British banker and politician. His father, Henry Riversdale Grenfell, was Governor of the Bank of England between 1881 and 1883. William Grenfell, 1st Baron ...

(1870–1941), British banker and politician. He was a named partner at Morgan, Grenfell & Co., a director of the Bank of England (1905 to 1940) and MP for the City of London (1922–1935). * Lord Richard Cavendish (1871–1946), British aristocrat, author, magistrate, and Liberal politician. *

Orlando Bridgeman, 5th Earl of Bradford Lieutenant-Colonel Orlando Bridgeman, 5th Earl of Bradford, DL, JP (6 October 1873 – 21 March 1957), styled Viscount Newport from 1898 to 1915, was a British peer, Conservative politician and soldier. Background Bridgeman was the oldest ...

(1873–1957), British peer, Conservative politician and soldier. *

Victor Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton Victor Alexander George Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Earl of Lytton (9 August 1876 – 25 October 1947), styled Viscount Knebworth from 1880 to 1891, was a British politician and colonial administrator. He served as List of governors of Bengal Pres ...

(1876–1947), British politician, Governor of Bengal,

League of Nations The League of Nations (LN or LoN; , SdN) was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920), Paris Peace ...

Commissioner. *

Lawrence Dundas, 2nd Marquess of Zetland Lawrence John Lumley Dundas, 2nd Marquess of Zetland (11 June 1876 – 6 February 1961), styled Lord Dundas until 1892 and Earl of Ronaldshay between 1892 and 1929, was a British hereditary peer and Conservative Party (UK), Conservative politic ...

(1876–1961), British Conservative politician and secretary of state for India. *

William Dudley Ward William Dudley Ward PC (14 October 1877 – 11 November 1946) was an English sportsman and Liberal Party politician. Early life Dudley Ward was born in London, the son of William Humble Dudley Ward and the great-grandson of William H ...

(1877–1946), British Liberal politician and sportsman. * John Wodehouse, 3rd Earl of Kimberley (1883–1941), British peer, Liberal politician and a champion polo player. *

Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy), Admiral of the Fleet Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (born Prince Louis of Battenberg; 25 June 1900 – 27 August 1979), commonly known as Lord Mountbatten, was ...

(1900–1979), statesman, naval leader, and the last

viceroy of India The governor-general of India (1833 to 1950, from 1858 to 1947 the viceroy and governor-general of India, commonly shortened to viceroy of India) was the representative of the monarch of the United Kingdom in their capacity as the Emperor of ...

. He was an uncle of

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, later Philip Mountbatten; 10 June 19219 April 2021), was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. As such, he was the consort of the British monarch from h ...

, and second cousin-once-removed of

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...

. *

John Maclay, 1st Viscount Muirshiel John Scott Maclay, 1st Viscount Muirshiel (26 October 1905 – 17 August 1992), was a British politician, sitting as a National Liberal and Conservative Member of Parliament before the party was fully assimilated into the Unionist Party in Sc ...

(1905–1992), member of parliament and peer. *

James Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, 3rd Earl of Ancaster Gilbert James Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, 3rd Earl of Ancaster, (8 December 1907 – 29 March 1983) styled Lord Willoughby de Eresby from 1910 to 1951, was a British Conservative politician. Early life Gilbert James Heathcote-Drummond-Will ...

(1907–1983), British aristocrat, soldier, and member of parliament. *

Archibald Acheson, 6th Earl of Gosford Archibald may refer to: People and characters *Archibald (name), a masculine given name and a surname *Archibald (musician) (1916–1973), American R&B pianist * Archibald, a character from the animated TV show ''Archibald the Koala'' Other uses ...

(1911–1966), British peer, politician, and a Royal Air Force officer. Whilst at

Harrow School Harrow School () is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school (English boarding school for boys) in Harrow on the Hill, Greater London, England. The school was founded in 1572 by John Lyon (school founder), John Lyon, a local landowner an ...

he was Inter-Public Schools Athletics Champion for the 880 yards (1929). *

George Jellicoe, 2nd Earl Jellicoe George Patrick John Rushworth Jellicoe, 2nd Earl Jellicoe, Baron Jellicoe of Southampton (4 April 1918 – 22 February 2007) was a British politician, diplomat and businessman. Lord Jellicoe was the only son but sixth and youngest child o ...

(1918–2007), British politician, diplomat, businessman and the commander of the Special Boat Service in WW2. *

Kwasi Kwarteng Akwasi Addo Alfred Kwarteng (born 26 May 1975) is a British politician who served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer from September to October 2022 under Liz Truss and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from 202 ...

(1975–), British Conservative Party politician,

chancellor of the exchequer The chancellor of the exchequer, often abbreviated to chancellor, is a senior minister of the Crown within the Government of the United Kingdom, and the head of HM Treasury, His Majesty's Treasury. As one of the four Great Offices of State, t ...

between September and October 2022.

Actors

John Cleese John Marwood Cleese ( ; born 27 October 1939) is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and Television presenter, presenter. Emerging from the Footlights, Cambridge Footlights in the 1960s, he first achieved success at the Edinbur ...

(1939–), comic actor and co-founder of

Monty Python Monty Python, also known as the Pythons, were a British comedy troupe formed in 1969 consisting of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. The group came to prominence for the sketch comedy ser ...

. *

Alexander Armstrong Alexander Henry Fenwick Armstrong (born 2 March 1970) is an English actor, comedian, radio personality, television presenter, singer and farmer. He is the host of the BBC One game show ''Pointless'', and is a weekday morning-show presenter on C ...

(1970–), best known as one half of the comedy duo

Armstrong and Miller Armstrong and Miller are an English comedy double act consisting of the actor-comedians Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller. They have performed in two eponymous television sketch shows, the satirical ''Timeghost'' podcast, and many individu ...

and as host of the BBC TV game show

Pointless ''Pointless'' is a Television in the United Kingdom, British television quiz show produced by Banijay Entertainment subsidiary Remarkable Entertainment for the BBC and hosted by Alexander Armstrong. In each episode, four teams of two contestan ...

. *

Tom Hiddleston Thomas William Hiddleston (born 9 February 1981) is a British actor. He gained international fame portraying Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe), Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), beginning with ''Thor (film), Thor'' in 2011 and incl ...

(1981–), recipient of several awards, including a Golden Globe Award and a Laurence Olivier Award. *

Eddie Redmayne Edward John David Redmayne OBE (; born 6 January 1982) is an English actor. His accolades include an Academy Award, a Tony Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two Olivier Awards. Redmayne began his professional ac ...

(1982–), Academy Award for Best Actor winner (2015).

Journalists and authors

E. F. Benson Edward Frederic Benson (24 July 1867 – 29 February 1940) was an English novelist, biographer, memoirist, historian and short story writer. Early life E. F. Benson was born at Wellington College (Berkshire), Wellington College in Berkshire, ...

(1867–1940), novelist, biographer, memoirist, archaeologist and short story writer. *

George William Lyttelton The Hon George William Lyttelton (6 January 1883 – 1 May 1962) was a British teacher and ''littérateur'' from the Lyttelton family. Known in his lifetime as an inspiring teacher of classics and English literature at Eton, and an avid sp ...

(1883–1962), British teacher and littérateur. *

David Frost Sir David Paradine Frost (7 April 1939 – 31 August 2013) was an English television host, journalist, comedian and writer. He rose to prominence during the satire boom in the United Kingdom when he was chosen to host the satirical programme ...

(1939–2013), television host, media personality, comedian and writer, known for his interviews with

Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 until Resignation of Richard Nixon, his resignation in 1974. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican ...

. * Andrew Roberts, Lord Roberts (1963–), historian, journalist, visiting professor at the

Department of War Studies, King's College London The Department of War Studies (DWS) is an academic department in the School of Security Studies within the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy at King's College London in London, United Kingdom. Senior government officials, members of t ...

, visiting research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. *

Simon Sebag Montefiore Simon Jonathan Sebag Montefiore ( ; born 27 June 1965) is a British historian, television presenter and author of history books and novels, including '' Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar'' (2003), '' Jerusalem: The Biography'' (2011), '' The Rom ...

(1965–), historian, television presenter and author of popular history books and novels.

Clerics

* George Thomas Orlando Bridgeman (1823–1895), a Church of England clergyman and antiquary. * George Herbert (priest) (1825–1894), Anglican priest and Dean of Hereford. * Reverend Frederick Gunton (d. 1893), Dean of

Magdalene College, Cambridge Magdalene College ( ) is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college was founded in 1428 as a Benedictine hostel, in time coming to be known as Buckingham College, before being refounded in 1542 as the College of St Mary ...

and president of the University Pitt Club. *

Edward Lyttelton Edward Lyttelton (23 July 1855 – 26 January 1942) was an English schoolmaster, cleric and sportsman from the Lyttelton family who was headmaster of Eton College from 1905 to 1916. During his early years he played first-class cricket for Camb ...

(1855–1942), English sportsman, schoolmaster and cleric. Headmaster of

Eton College Eton College ( ) is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school providing boarding school, boarding education for boys aged 13–18, in the small town of Eton, Berkshire, Eton, in Berkshire, in the United Kingdom. It has educated Prime Mini ...

(1905–1916). England International Footballer & 1876 FA Cup finalist. *

Lionel Ford Lionel George Bridges Justice Ford (3 September 1865 – 27 March 1932) was an Anglican priest who served as Dean of York after two headmasterships at notable English independent schools. Biography Ford was born in Paddington, London, the son o ...

(1865–1932), Anglican priest and

Dean of York The Dean of York is the member of the clergy who is responsible for the running of the York Minster cathedral. As well as being the head of the cathedral church of the diocese and the metropolitical church of the province, the Dean of York holds ...

. Headmaster of

(1910–1925). * Alfred Newman Gilbey (1901–1998), Catholic chaplain to Cambridge University, and protonotary apostolic. *

Justin Welby Justin Portal Welby (born 6 January 1956) is an Anglican bishop who served as the 105th archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England from 2013 to 2025. After an 11-year career in the oil industry, Welby trained for ordination at St John ...

(1956–), the 105th

Archbishop of Canterbury The archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and a principal leader of the Church of England, the Primus inter pares, ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the bishop of the diocese of Canterbury. The first archbishop ...

and Primate of All England.

Athletes

Francis Grimston The Rev. Hon. Francis Sylvester Grimston (8 December 1822 – 28 October 1865) was an English clergyman and amateur cricketer. Early life and education Francis Grimston was born in 1822 at Gorhambury, Hertfordshire, the sixth and youngest son of ...

(1822–1865), amateur cricketer. *

John Goldie (barrister) John Haviland Dashwood Goldie (18 March 1849 – 12 April 1896) was an English rowing (sport), rower, and barrister. He was the Cambridge University Boat Club President between 1870 and 1872, won the Colquhoun Sculls in 1870 and capta ...

(1849–1896), English rower and barrister, namesake for the second Cambridge boat Goldie (Cambridge University Boat Club). *

Charles Gurdon Charles Gurdon (3 December 1855 – 26 June 1931) was an English barrister, judge, rower and rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cambridge University and Richmond. Gurdon represented England fourteen times during the early developmen ...

(1855–1931), English rower and rugby union forward, captained an England international side. *

Kynaston Studd Sir John Edward Kynaston Studd, 1st Baronet (26 July 1858 – 14 January 1944), known as "JEK", was a British cricketer, businessman and Lord Mayor of London. Family Studd was born at Tedworth House, Tidworth, Wiltshire. He married, firstly, H ...

(1858–1944), British cricketer, businessman and

Lord Mayor of London The Lord Mayor of London is the Mayors in England, mayor of the City of London, England, and the Leader of the council, leader of the City of London Corporation. Within the City, the Lord Mayor is accorded Order of precedence, precedence over a ...

. *

Martin Hawke, 7th Baron Hawke Martin Bladen Hawke, 7th Baron Hawke (16 August 1860 – 10 October 1938), generally known as Lord Hawke, was an English amateur cricketer active from 1881 to 1911 who played for Yorkshire and England. He was born in Willingham by Stow, near ...

(1860–1938), international cricketer and President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). *

Frederick I. Pitman Frederick (Freddie) Islay Pitman (18 April 1863 – 22 January 1942) was a British rowing (sport), rower who rowed in the Boat Race three times and won the Diamond Challenge Sculls and the Wingfield Sculls in 1886. Biography Pitman w ...

(1863–1942), British rower. *

Stanley Muttlebury Stanley Duff Muttlebury (29 April 1866 – 3 May 1933) was an English rower notable in the annals of rowing (sport), rowing and the Oxford and Cambridge The Boat Race, Boat Race. Parentage Muttlebury was born 29 April 1866 in London, England, ...

(1866–1933), 'The Mighty Muttle', English rower notable in the annals of rowing and the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. * Geoffrey Cornewall (1869–1951), British archer who competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics. *

Claude Goldie Claude John Dashwood Goldie (29 December 1876 – 30 December 1956) was an English rower who won the Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta. Goldie was born at St Ives, Huntingdonshire, the son of John Goldie and his wife Grace Miriam Watson. ...

(1876–1956), English rower and soldier. * Raymond Etherington-Smith (1877–1913), doctor and British Olympic rower. * Graham Maitland (1879–1914), English rower. *

Claude Taylor (rower) Claude Waterhouse Hearn Taylor CBE, DSO (born 19 October 1880) was an English rower who twice won the Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta. Taylor was born in London, the son of John Henry Taylor. He was educated at Eton and Trinity Colle ...

(born 1880), English rower. * Banner Johnstone (1882–1964), British Olympic rower. * Ronald Powell (rower) (1884–1930), English rower. *

Eric Powell (rower) Eric Walter Powell (6 May 1886 – 17 August 1933) was an English schoolmaster, artist and Rowing (sport), rower who competed for Great Britain in the 1908 Summer Olympics. Powell was born at Hornsey, the son of the Rev. Robert Walter Powell, ...

(1886–1933), English schoolmaster, artist and rower who competed for Great Britain in the 1908 Summer Olympics. * Edward Williams (rower) (1888–1915), British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, killed in action in the First World War. *

Harold Abrahams Harold Maurice Abrahams (15 December 1899 – 14 January 1978) was an English track and field athlete. He was Olympic champion in 1924 in the 100 metres sprint, a feat depicted in the 1981 film '' Chariots of Fire''. Early life and educati ...

(1899–1978), Olympic track and field champion immortalized in the film ''

Chariots of Fire ''Chariots of Fire'' is a 1981 historical drama, historical Sports film, sports drama film directed by Hugh Hudson, written by Colin Welland and produced by David Puttnam. It is based on the true story of two British athletes in the 1924 Summer ...

''. *

Robert Morrison (rower) Robert Erskine Morrison (26 March 1902 – 19 February 1980) was a British rower who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics. Morrison was born at Richmond on Thames, and he was educated at Eton College and at Trinity College, Cambridge, wher ...

(1902–1980), British Olympic rower. *

David Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter David George Brownlow Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter, KCMG, KStJ (9 February 1905 – 21 October 1981), styled Lord Burghley from birth until 1956 and also known as David Burghley, was an English athlete, sports official, peer, and Conservativ ...

(1905–1981), Olympic gold-medalist on whom the character Lord Lindsay in ''

'' is based. * Michael Warriner (1908–1986), British Olympic rower and gold medallist (1928). Three-time boat race winner and president of Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC). *

Anthony Bingham Mildmay, 2nd Baron Mildmay of Flete Anthony Bingham Mildmay, 2nd Baron Mildmay of Flete (14 April 1909 – 12 May 1950) was an English amateur Steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechaser, who raced in the Grand National. He also inspired Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the Queen Mother's inte ...

(1909–1950), celebrated amateur steeplechaser, who raced in the Grand National.

Other

Rudolph Feilding, 8th Earl of Denbigh Rudolph William Basil Feilding, 8th Earl of Denbigh, 7th Earl of Desmond (9 April 1823 – 10 March 1892), styled as Viscount Feilding until 1865, was a British peer and noted Roman Catholic convert, who founded the Franciscan friary at Pantas ...

(1823–1892), British peer and noted Roman Catholic convert. * Arthur Murray Goodhart (1866–1941), British composer and organist, principal of

Guildhall School of Music The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a music and drama school located in the City of London, England. Established in 1880, the school offers undergraduate and postgraduate training in all aspects of classical music and jazz along with dram ...

, Conductor of the Concerts of the

Royal Academy of Music The Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London, England, is one of the oldest music schools in the UK, founded in 1822 by John Fane and Nicolas-Charles Bochsa. It received its royal charter in 1830 from King George IV with the support of the firs ...

. *

Charles Grey, 5th Earl Grey Charles Robert Grey, 5th Earl Grey DL (15 December 1879 – 2 April 1963), styled Viscount Howick between 1894 and 1917, was a British nobleman, the son of Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey. Grey was born in London in 1879 and was the son of th ...

(1879–1963), English nobleman. *

Roland Nelson Roland Hugh Nelson (7 February 1881 – 19 December 1940) was an English barrister and rower who won Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta. Nelson was born in London, the son of John Henry Nelson of Stanhope Gardens. He was educated at Eton an ...

(1881–1940), English rower, barrister and private secretary to the

First Lord of the Admiralty First Lord of the Admiralty, or formally the Office of the First Lord of the Admiralty, was the title of the political head of the English and later British Royal Navy. He was the government's senior adviser on all naval affairs, responsible f ...

and the

home secretary The secretary of state for the Home Department, more commonly known as the home secretary, is a senior minister of the Crown in the Government of the United Kingdom and the head of the Home Office. The position is a Great Office of State, maki ...

. *

Evelyn de Rothschild Sir Evelyn Robert Adrian de Rothschild (29 August 1931 – 7 November 2022) was a British financier and a member of the Rothschild family. Early life Evelyn de Rothschild was born on 29 August 1931, to a Jewish family. The son of Anthony Gu ...

(1886–1917), member of the

Rothschild family The Rothschild family ( , ) is a wealthy Ashkenazi Jews, Ashkenazi Jewish noble banking family originally from Frankfurt. The family's documented history starts in 16th-century Frankfurt; its name is derived from the family house, Rothschild, ...

and soldier. * John Fremantle, 4th Baron Cottesloe (1900–1994), chairman of the

Arts Council of Great Britain The Arts Council of Great Britain was a non-departmental public body dedicated to the promotion of the fine arts in Great Britain. It was divided in 1994 to form the Arts Council of England (now Arts Council England), the Scottish Arts Council (l ...

and the South Bank Theatre Board. *

Edric Hamilton-Russell Edric Claud Hamilton-Russell (24 November 1904 – 1984) was a British Rowing (sport), rower and mining engineer who was director of pre-nationalisation collieries. Hamilton-Russell was the son of Hon. Claud Eustace Hamilton-Russell and Maria Li ...

(1904–1984), British rower and mining engineer who was director of pre-nationalisation collieries. *

Guy Burgess Guy Francis de Moncy Burgess (16 April 1911 – 30 August 1963) was a British diplomat and Soviet double agent, and a member of the Cambridge Five spy ring that operated from the mid-1930s to the early years of the Cold War era. His defection ...

(1911–1963), spy, diplomat and member of the

. *

Claud Phillimore, 4th Baron Phillimore Claud Stephen Phillimore, 4th Baron Phillimore (15 January 1911 – 29 March 1994) was an English architect specialising in larger country houses who succeeded to his family's title in 1990. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he ...

(1911–1994), British architect. * Francis Edward Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce, 8th Baron Thurlow (1912–2013), British diplomat and colonial governor of The Bahamas. * Christopher Mallaby (1936–2022), British diplomat closely involved in German reunification. *

Karan Bilimoria, Baron Bilimoria Karan Faridoon Bilimoria, Baron Bilimoria, (born 26 November 1961) is a British Indian businessman, member of the House of Lords, and former Chancellor of the University of Birmingham. Bilimoria founded the global beer brand Cobra Beer, and se ...

(1961–), British Indian entrepreneur and a university chancellor, well known for founding the global beer brand

Cobra Beer Cobra Beer is a beer brand manufactured in the United Kingdom. The group's primary product is a Beer#"Premium"_beers, premium beer with an alcohol strength of 4.5% by volume (originally 4.8%). The beer was founded in 1989 by Karan Bilimoria, Bar ...

. *

Rupert Goodman Rupert Andrew Woodward Goodman, FRGS OBE DL (born 17 April 1963) is a British publisher, international affairs expert and entrepreneur. Life and career Goodman was born in Kidderminster. He was educated at Walhampton School, Eton College and ...

(1963–), British publisher, international affairs expert and entrepreneur. *

Harry Primrose, 8th Earl of Rosebery Harry Ronald Neil Primrose, 8th Earl of Rosebery, 4th Earl of Midlothian (born 1967), styled Lord Dalmeny between 1974 and 2024, known as Harry Dalmeny, is a British aristocrat and the Chairman of Sotheby's in the United Kingdom. A member of ...

(1967–), British aristocrat and the chairman of

Sotheby's Sotheby's ( ) is a British-founded multinational corporation with headquarters in New York City. It is one of the world's largest brokers of fine art, fine and decorative art, jewellery, and collectibles. It has 80 locations in 40 countries, an ...

in the United Kingdom.

Women

After 182 years of activity, the club allowed women to join in 2017 following a controversial vote whereby university alumni, who were life members of the club, were barred from voting. This came after a trial run in which female guests were allowed access in the daytime (having previously been allowed in only 'after dark except Sunday lunch').

Official website

pittclub.org.uk

Notes

References

{{Use dmy dates, date=September 2019 Clubs and societies of the University of Cambridge Dining clubs 1835 establishments in England Grade II listed buildings in Cambridge William Pitt the Younger