Cogers
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Society of Cogers (pronounced koh-jers) is a free speech society, established in 1755 in the City of London. It is the oldest debating society in the world and oldest speaking gathering of any kind after the United Kingdom Parliament.
The name "Cogers" comes from Descartes' famous assertion: "Cogito ergo sum". As a 'Society of Thinkers,' the Cogers is dedicated to the philosophy of letting everyone express their thoughts. The aims of the Cogers were the promotion of the liberty of the subject and the freedom of the Press, the maintenance of loyalty to the laws, the rights and claims of humanity and the practice of public and private virtue.
The first meeting in 1755 was at the White Bear Inn (now St Brides Tavern), Fleet Street. In around 1850 it moved to Discussion Hall, Shoe Lane, and in 1871 migrated to the Barley Mow Inn, Salisbury Square, E.C.1, where it remained until the 1960s. Since then it moved to the Old Bank of England and has recently multiplied to a number of venues around London.
Previous members and visitors to the society include founding member John Wilkes, Charles Dickens, William Gladstone, Benjamin Disraeli, and many others throughout its 250 year history.
Members meet monthly at pubs in the centre and outside of London and begin the evening by having an impartial host rounding up the current affairs of the last month. Then all participants may take turns to have their own five minutes on the podium expressing their views as to what, what's not, and what not on any subjects they feel they would like to bring to the evening. It may be reactions to the previous speakers or their own topics.
The meetings are chaired by the "Grand", who maintains order and also regulates the timing of speeches. The meeting starts with an "Opener", who gives a 15 minute resumé, inviting topics for discussion.
At the end of the evening the traditional "Apple of Discord" is presented by the "Evaluator" to the best speaker of the evening to the speaker who throughout the evening brought the greatest contribution, whether that be thoughtful, entertaining, controversial or outstanding. Participants also have the opportunity to get tips from the evaluator on what their strengths and potentials are.
See: Peter Rayleigh, History of Ye Antient Society of Cogers (London, 1904).
[edit] Venues:
- City of London, Old Bank of England, Fleet Street, 2nd Monday each month
- London University, The Plough, Museum Street, 3rd Wednesday each month
- Victoria Cogers, The Plumbers Arms, Lower Belgrave Street, 4th Wednesday each month
