Union Club of Boston
Encyclopedia
The Union Club of Boston, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest gentlemen's club
s in the United States
. It is located on Beacon Hill, adjacent to the Massachusetts State House. The clubhouse at No. 8 Park Street overlooks the Boston Common, and offers spectacular views of the Common itself, Boston's historic Back Bay, and the hills to the city's west.
The Union Club was formed by members of another prominent Boston gentlemen's club, the Somerset Club
, after disagreement over support (or lack thereof) for the Union cause during the American Civil War
. The Club is a meeting place for prominent individuals from business and the professions.
Gentlemen's club
A gentlemen's club is a members-only private club of a type originally set up by and for British upper class men in the eighteenth century, and popularised by English upper-middle class men and women in the late nineteenth century. Today, some are more open about the gender and social status of...
s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is located on Beacon Hill, adjacent to the Massachusetts State House. The clubhouse at No. 8 Park Street overlooks the Boston Common, and offers spectacular views of the Common itself, Boston's historic Back Bay, and the hills to the city's west.
The Union Club was formed by members of another prominent Boston gentlemen's club, the Somerset Club
Somerset Club
The Somerset Club is a private social club in Boston, Massachusetts, founded perhaps as early as 1826.The original club was informal, without a clubhouse. By the 1830s this had evolved into a group called the Temple. In 1851 the group purchased the home of Benjamin W. Crowninshield, located at...
, after disagreement over support (or lack thereof) for the Union cause during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The Club is a meeting place for prominent individuals from business and the professions.
Prominent former members
- Charles Francis AdamsCharles Francis AdamsCharles Francis Adams may refer to:* Charles Adams , grocery magnate and founder of the Boston Bruins* Charles Francis Adams, Sr. , grandson of John Adams, son of John Quincy Adams, U.S. congressman, ambassador...
- Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet, who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century...
- Edward EverettEdward EverettEdward Everett was an American politician and educator from Massachusetts. Everett, a Whig, served as U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator, the 15th Governor of Massachusetts, Minister to Great Britain, and United States Secretary of State...
(1794-1865), abolitionist - John Murray ForbesJohn Murray ForbesJohn Murray Forbes was an American railroad magnate, merchant, philanthropist and abolitionist. He was president of both the Michigan Central railroad and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in the 1850s....
- Oliver Wendell HolmesOliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. was an American physician, professor, lecturer, and author. Regarded by his peers as one of the best writers of the 19th century, he is considered a member of the Fireside Poets. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat...
- Josiah QuincyJosiah QuincyJosiah Quincy is the name of:*Colonel Josiah Quincy I , Revolutionary War soldier, built Josiah Quincy House *Josiah Quincy II , attorney, "the Patriot", newspaper propagandist, son of Josiah Quincy I...