From the archive

Professor Flinders Petrie on ‘The Value of History’ From Whitefriars Journal,vol. III, no. 12, February 1910, pp. 195-96. On Friday, October 22nd 1909, Professor Flinders Petrie was entertained by the Club, Friar Edward Clodd occupying the chair, the subject of talk being “The Value of Historv.” In proposing the health of the Club guest, the Prior said that Professor Flinders Petrie was descended from the Australian explorer Flinders. He, the Professor, had for thirty years been excavating in Egypt. Professor Petrie had gone to the valley of dry bones and made them live. He represented the newer school of archaeology,Continue reading →

Mr Handley Page on ‘The Future of Aviation’ From the Whitefriars Journal, vol. V, no. 6, July 1919, pp. 180-83. March 7th, 1919. Prior—Friar Dr Leslie Burgin. Topic for Discussion:–‘Commercial Aviation in the Future’. Among the Guests were : Mr G. Caradoc Rees, Mr F. J. Piatt, Mr C. Grey, Mr E. L. Burgin, Mr Charles Burgin, Major H. J. Holmes, MC, Mr W. R. Deighton, Lieut. F. H. Wilson, RAF, Sir John Cawston, KCB, Mr W. L. Rind, OBE, Mr Cyril F. J. Hankinson, Mr R. M. Cunningham, Mr Frank Lindley-Jones, Mr Edgar Lindley-Jones, Dr. Kesteven, Mr H. J.Continue reading →

(pseudonym of Samuel Langhorne Clemens) Mark Twain at the Whitefriars Club Western Daily Press, Tuesday 10 September 1872, p. 3. Within the last few days the celebrated humourist Mark Twain has arrived in England and he was present at a dinner given by the members of the Whitefriars Club at the Mitre Tavern [on 6 September]. The meeting was presided over by Mr. J.Crawford Wilson, Mr G. Wharton Sampson occupying the vice-chair. It was as Mr Tom Hood’s guest that the distinguished visitor was present. Mark Twain, with whose writings the English public are so familiar, belongs to the orderContinue reading →

Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree on ‘The Press and the Stage’ From Whitefriars Journal, vol. III, no. 13, June 1910, pp. 238-41. On Friday, April 1st, the Club guest was Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. Friar Peter Keary was the Prior, and the topic of conversation ‘The Press and the Stage’. Friar Peter Keary1, in welcoming the guest of the evening, thanked the Brethren for coming to the dinner half an hour earlier than usual to meet Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. He would touch on only one issue – and only one side of that issue – to give a lead toContinue reading →