The Earl Grey is named for Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl Grey (that dapper chap in the letterhead - formerly Viscount Howick, which is also a cool name). As leader of the Whigs (Britain’s major reform party at the time), Charles Grey was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1830 to 1834. His government saw both the Reform Act of 1832, which greatly increased the franchise (the portion of the citizenry eligible to vote - these reforms set Britain on the path to universal suffrage) and the abolition of slavery throughout the entire empire.

In the spirit of the good Earl’s work, The Earl Grey Social Club does not discriminate on the basis of
-Race
-Gender
-Religion
-Sexuality
-Marital status
-Employment/financial status
-Union membership
In our task of extending interest and access in higher learning and the finer things in life to all, we oppose these forms of discrimination and welcome the help of any individual who does likewise.

Despite taking interest in, and learning from, periods of history that are now associated with discrimination and even cruelty, we do not support these values but rather learn from the past how best to oppose them. For example, the use of child labour in the Victorian era, and opposition to it, can teach us how better to oppose child labour today - part of our stated goal of artisanship. Also, despite our interest in past fashions, we do not support such fashions as mandatory corsetry for women, but instead stand for the right of all people, men or women, to wear what they like. We simply have a preference for quality clothing, especially made by an independent tailor or at home, designed to look good and to last, rather than short-lived consumer-driven fashion trends which tend to undermine people’s self-respect as much as they do their pocketbook.