The Select Society

The Select Society, established in 1754 as The St. Giles Society but soon renamed, was an intellectual society in 18th century Edinburgh. The society was first a discussion club then shortly thereafter a debating club for the intellectual elite of Edinburgh. History The Select Society initially had fifteen members who included: James Adam John Adam James Burnett, Lord Monboddo George Drummond Adam Ferguson Francis Home Henry Home, Lord Kames David Hume John Monro Alexander Monro primus Allan Ramsay William Robertson Adam Smith By the end of its first year, The Select Society had eighty three members. Some years later, some of the members established The Poker Club.