Raleigh Club
The Raleigh Club was a dining club founded in 1827. It met at the 'Thatched House', a tavern in the St James area of London as an alternative to the Travellers Club. It was founded by Sir Arthur de Capell Brooke as a place where real exploring travellers could meet, exchange tales, and try the cuisine of far-off lands. It served as a sort of nursery for the Royal Geographical Society and became subsumed by that body later in the century. Prominent early members included Sir John Barrow and Alexander Burnes.