The American Society in London

The American Society in London is the oldest existing American social and cultural organization in the United Kingdom. It was founded on March 21, 1895, when a group of American businessmen, including Henry Wellcome and John Meiggs, met in Grosvenor Square with U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Bayard to form the Society. Its stated object, written into the Society Rules, is "the promotion of patriotic and social life amongst Americans residing in London." From its inception the Society has embraced membership from prominent and influential American expatriates, while also welcoming British guests to its patriotic holiday feasts as a way of demonstrating the character of America and its citizens abroad. The Society is best known for organizing annual celebrations of major American holidays, notably Independence Day and Thanksgiving. Its mission, as described on its official website, is to foster sentiments of mutual respect and affection between the people of the United States and the United Kingdom — a mission the Society describes as being as relevant today as it was in 1895. Membership is open to Americans and to others with strong ties to the United States. Over more than a century the Society has been led by a long line of chairmen, several of them notable figures. Henry S. Wellcome, founder of the pharmaceutical firm Burroughs Wellcome & Co., served as chairman in 1896 and commissioned a large silver cup presented to Ambassador John Hay. H. Gordon Selfridge, the department store founder, served as chairman in 1920 and has been described by the Society as its most flamboyant chairman; Society events are still regularly held at the Lansdowne Club, Selfridge's former home. During the First World War the Society suspended all dinner dances for the duration of the conflict. In June 1940, when a group from the Society met to organize the Independence Day party, former chairman Gilbert Carr suggested that instead of a lavish celebration they should do something to help the British war effort, and so 'American Ambulance Great Britain' was born; during the war the AAGB provided ambulances. The Society maintains an official website at americansocietyuk.com, where it publishes upcoming events, galleries, membership information and a newsletter, and it maintains a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. It continues to operate as a membership-based social and cultural organization in London.

The American Society in London was founded on March 21, 1895, when a group of American businessmen, including Henry Wellcome and John Meiggs, met in Grosvenor Square with U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Bayard to form the Society. The Society Rules set out its object: "the promotion of patriotic and social life amongst Americans residing in London." Benjamin F. Stevens served as the first chairman in 1895, and Henry S. Wellcome, founder of the pharmaceutical firm Burroughs Wellcome & Co., took over as chairman in 1896. Wellcome commissioned a large silver cup to present to His Excellency Ambassador John Hay in appreciation for his kind support of the Society. The Society held an Independence Day celebration in 1896. In 1901, Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire, the home of George Washington's English ancestors, was bought by public subscription as part of centenary celebrations for the signing of the Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812. During the First World War, from 1914 to 1917, the Society suspended all dinner dances for the duration of the Great War. H. Gordon Selfridge, the famed department store founder, served as chairman in 1920 and has been described by the Society as its most flamboyant chairman; Society events are still regularly held at the Lansdowne Club, Selfridge's former home. In June 1940, when a group from the Society sat down to organize the Independence Day party, former chairman Gilbert Carr suggested that instead of a lavish celebration they should do something to help the British war effort, and so 'American Ambulance Great Britain' was born. During the war the AAGB provided ambulances. The Society's chairmen over the decades have included many prominent American expatriates, among them Whitelaw Reid (1911), H. Gordon Selfridge (1920), Wilson Cross (1921-1925), Gilbert H. Carr, C.B.E. (1937-1938), Rear Admiral Tulley Shelly C.B.E., U.S.N. (1960), and others. The Society continues to organize annual celebrations of major American holidays including Independence Day and Thanksgiving, and to foster sentiments of mutual respect and affection between the people of the United States and the United Kingdom.

• 1940

  In June, former chairman Gilbert Carr suggests helping the British war effort instead of a lavish Independence Day celebration, leading to the birth of 'American Ambulance Great Britain'.

• 1920

  H. Gordon Selfridge, famed department store founder, serves as chairman.

• 1914

  The Society suspends all dinner dances for the duration of the Great War (1914-1917).

• 1901

  Sulgrave Manor in Northamptonshire, home of George Washington's English ancestors, bought by public subscription as part of centenary celebrations for the Treaty of Ghent.

• 1896

  Henry S. Wellcome, founder of Burroughs Wellcome & Co., takes over as chairman and commissions a large silver cup presented to Ambassador John Hay.

• 1896

  Independence Day celebration held.

• 1895

  On March 21, a group of American businessmen, including Henry Wellcome and John Meiggs, met in Grosvenor Square with U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Bayard to form The American Society in London.

• 1895

  Benjamin F. Stevens serves as the first chairman.

A membership-based patriotic and social organization for Americans in London, fostering mutual respect and affection between the people of the United States and the United Kingdom.

• Membership

  Open to Americans and others with strong ties to the United States.

• Independence Day celebrations

  Annual celebration of a major American holiday.

• Thanksgiving celebrations

  Annual celebration of a major American holiday.

• Newsletter

  Updates about upcoming events and other news.

1. 1The American Society in London — Official Websiteamericansocietyuk.com
2. 2About Us — The American Society in Londonamericansocietyuk.com
3. 3Our Chairmen — The American Society in Londonamericansocietyuk.com
4. 4The American Society in London — Wikidatawikidata.org