SCH SOC ES
Reference code
SCH SOC ES
Title
The Eton Society: Pop
Level
Series
Administrative / Biographical history
Pop, or the Eton Society, was founded in 1811 by Charles Fox Townshend as a debating society, but also as a social club. This dual purpose meant its survival when others didn't. In early days, members were known as "literati", and it is believed that "Pop" comes from the place meetings were initially held in, the house of Mrs Hatton, the "popina" or lolly-pop shop. Membership was fixed at 25 initially, and it was to involve weekly debates of historical or literary character, politics and polemical subjects banned.
Over the years, the society changed, both in membership and purpose. By the early 20th century, it was largely a club for the sporting elite. Its members have a great deal of privileges, for example over dress, areas they can go to, and they used to be allowed to "cane" other boys for infringements. They now act more like prefects, with Masters having some say in the membership.
A list of members can be found in the Chronicle at the beginning of each half
A list of members can be found in the Chronicle at the beginning of each half
Date
1811 - 2011
Publication note
A history of Pop appeared in the Eton College Chronicle 28/09/1911
Location of this record in the archive hierarchy
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Number 17 of 41 at this Level
Beneath this record in the archive hierarchy
- Eton Society: Minute books, SCH SOC ES 01, (1811 - 1960)
- Eton Society: Rulebooks, SCH SOC ES 02, ([1811])
- Eton Society: President's books, SCH SOC ES 03, (1956 - 1979)
- Eton Society: Accounts, SCH SOC ES 04, (1898 - 1996)
- Eton Society: Strangers books, SCH SOC ES 05, (1880 - 1959)
- Eton Society: Members address book, SCH SOC ES 06, (1842 - 1855)
- Eton Society: Library lenders' books, SCH SOC ES 07, (19th century - 20th century)
- Eton Society: Indexes, SCH SOC ES 08, (19th century)
- Eton Society: Members, SCH SOC ES 09, (1849 - 1998)
- Eton Society: Speeches to the society, SCH SOC ES 10, (25 October 1961)
- Eton Society: Rules, SCH SOC ES 11, (May 1971)
- Eton Society: Papers relating to the anniversaries of Pop, SCH SOC ES 12, (1911 - 2011)
- Eton Society: Videos, SCH SOC ES 13, (2011)
- Eton Society: Offence books, SCH SOC ES 14, (1984 - 2004)
- Eton Society: Papers of the President, SCH SOC ES 15, (1990s - 2000s)