The Club was founded by a group of British men, considered part of a medical elite and pursuing the same ideals.

Osler was the "ideal British gentleman" who showed concern, commitment, and loyalty to both patients and colleagues.

His experiences of the hospitality he and his colleagues met with at various American and Canadian cities was reflected in his notes, describing the importance of maintaining contact, "sympathy and cooperation between the English-speaking peoples that is so essential for international peace".

[2] The first meeting of the Club was held on 30 April 1928 around the drawing room fireplace in Franklin's father's house at 27 Wimpole Street, London.

[10] The Club meets on average once every two months, when a members' paper is presented, consisting of original research on the history of medicine and associated subjects.

[3] At the annual general meeting in 1970, Norah Schuster presented a talk on "That Picture", a portrait of Alexander, Emperor of the Russias, painted by James Northcote in 1820.