Cambridge Union Society - History of The Society

History of The Society

The Cambridge Union was founded on 13 February 1815 at the conclusion of a drunken brawl between members of two or three debating societies. The 'Union', as it has become known by Cambridge students, quickly rose to prominence in University life. Early officers included historian and essayist Thomas Macaulay, and many subsequent officers have gone on to become influential leaders in a wide variety of fields and professions. Just a few years after it was founded, on 24 March 1817, the Union was temporarily shut down by the University for being too contentious. In 1821 the Society was allowed to reform, under strict guidelines. In its effort to uphold the right to free speech, the Union disregarded them and continued to debate contentious topics in disguised form.

Its current Bridge Street premises (52°12′31″N 0°07′10″E / 52.20861°N 0.11944°E / 52.20861; 0.11944) were designed by Alfred Waterhouse (who went on to design the Oxford Union Society's building) and formally opened on 30 October 1866. An additional wing to the building was added several decades later. The future radical Liberal politician, Sir Charles Dilke, was the President chiefly responsible for construction. Included among the building's many rooms are the famous debating chamber, a dining room, bar, snooker room, the Keynes Library and various offices.

Although Cambridge escaped virtually undamaged from the widespread bombing destruction of World War II, the Union's building was hit by a bomb dropped during one attack. The explosion caused extensive damage to the Society's library. Some older books still show shrapnel damage.

The Union is legally a self-funded private members' club which owns and has full control over its private property and buildings in the Cambridge city centre. It enjoys strong relations with the university, and allows other societies to hire rooms out. It often admits guests to its events and sometimes opens event to all students. Recently, the Society's building has proved to be a popular filming location; scenes for several British television programs and an upcoming feature-length film have been shot on the premises.

After nearly 200 years, the Cambridge Union is still best known for its debates, which often receive national and international media attention. The top members of its debating team compete internationally against other top debating societies. Cambridge regularly fields one of the most successful teams at the World Universities Debating Championships. The union also organises talks by visiting speakers and a wide array of entertainments throughout the academic year.

The Cambridge Union is sometimes confused with the Cambridge University Students' Union, the student representative body set up in 1971. Consequently, the term 'President of the Union' may cause confusion. Despite the Cambridge Union Society's never having been a students' union in the modern sense, it did briefly affiliate to the UK's National Union of Students in 1924.