Albemarle Club

[2] The club came in for criticism because of its progressive view of women's rights, but also saw supporters join its ranks such as Edward Cortenay MP.

[3] However, it was not immediately popular and by January 1879, it had to raise the subscription fees in order to make up the shortfall due to the lack of numbers.

[6] On 28 February 1895, the club became notorious for being the location of the incident that began the first trial of Oscar Wilde, who was a member of the Albemarle.

[7] His entry was blocked by the porter, so instead Queensberry left a calling card with the note "For Oscar Wilde, posing somdomite [sic]".

[12] The site underwent a refit in 1910 to make the premises better suited to the club; it had previously been used as a residence for the Bishop of Ely.

A rectangular calling card printed with "Marquess of Queensberry" in copperplate script.
The Marquess of Queensberry 's calling card with the handwritten offending inscription "For Oscar Wilde posing Somdomite [ sic ]". The card was marked as exhibit 'A' in Wilde's libel action.