The Cambridge Union Society, commonly referred to simply as the Cambridge Union, is the largest student society at the University of Cambridge. It was founded on February 13th, 1815 as a union of three debating societies and quickly rose to prominence in University life. Early officers included the historian and essayist, Thomas Babington Macaulay. After nearly 200 years, the Cambridge Union is still best known for its debates which often receive national or international media attention. However, it also organises lectures by visiting speakers, film evenings and other social events for its members.
It elects a student as its president every term. Past holders of the post include John Maynard Keynes, Rab Butler, Archbishop Michael Ramsey, Douglas Hurd (former British Foreign Secretary), Ken Clarke (former British Chancellor of the Exchequer), Michael Howard (former Home Secretary and now leader of the Conservative Party), Chris Smith and Arianna Huffington.
It continues to attract eminent speakers from the UK and across the globe. Previous visitors have included President Reagan, Clint Eastwood, Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, Gillian Anderson and Bruce Forsyth as well as multitude of British politicians.
Its current premises were designed by Alfred Waterhouse and formally opened on October 30th, 1866, although they have undergone several developments since then. The future radical Liberal politician, Sir Charles Dilke, was the President largely responsible for construction.
The Cambridge Union is sometimes confused with the Cambridge University Students' Union, the university-wide representative body for undergraduate students set up more recently in 1971. Despite the Cambridge Union Society never having been a students' union in the modern sense, it did briefly affiliate to the UK's National Union of Students in 1924.
Recent Presidents continue to move into academia, the media and politics. Recent former Presidents include Clare Balding, one of the BBC's leading sports broadcasters, Chris Kelly, a Cambridge University Lecturer on Roman History and Rana Mitter, an Oxford University Lecturer in the History and Politics of Modern China. Others are following the 'traditional' route into politics. Gavin Barwell is Head of Operations at Conservative Central Office. Nicholas Boys Smith was a parliamentary candidate in the 2001 general election.
Presidents
Presidents elected a second time are marked with *
1815-1916
| Year | Term | President | College |
| 1815 | Lent | Mr E. Gambier | Trinity |
| 1815 | Easter | Lord Normanby | Trinity |
| 1815 | Michaelmas | Hon. C.J. Shore | Trinity |
| 1816 | Lent | Mr G. Stainforth | Trinity |
| 1816 | Easter | Mr E. Leycester | St John's |
| 1816 | Michaelmas | Mr R Whitcombe | Trinity |
| 1817 | Lent | Mr W. Whewell | Trinity |
| 1817 | Easter | No Officers were elected | |
| 1817 | Michaelmas | Mr H.J. Rose | Trinity |
| 1818 | Lent | Mr B.H. Malkin | Trinity |
| 1818 | Easter | Mr T. Thorp | Trinity |
| 1818 | Michaelmas | Mr T. Baines | Trinity |
| 1819 | Lent | Mr T. Platt | Trinity |
| 1819 | Easter | Mr S. Hawkes | Trinity |
| 1819 | Michaelmas | Mr J. Cooper | Trinity |
| 1820 | Lent | Mr E.D. Rhodes | Sidney Sussex |
| 1820 | Easter | Mr E. Whiteley | Jesus |
| 1820 | Michaelmas | Mr T. Sheepshanks | Trinity |
| 1821 | Lent | Mr E. Strutt | Trinity |
| 1821 | Easter | Mr J. Punnett | Clare |
| 1821 | Michaelmas | Mr J. Furnival | Queens' |
| 1822 | Lent | Mr C. Austin | Jesus |
| 1822 | Easter | Mr C. Villiers | St John's |
| 1822 | Michaelmas | Mr W.H. Ord | Trinity |
| 1823 | Lent | Mr W. Blunt | King's |
| 1823 | Easter | Mr G.O. Townsend | King's |
| 1823 | Michaelmas | Mr J.J. Rawlinson | Trinity |
| 1824 | Lent | Mr R.C. Hildyard | St Catharine's |
| 1824 | Easter | Mr A.J. Cockburn | Trinity Hall |
| 1824 | Michaelmas | Mr J. Haughton | Pembroke |
| 1825 | Lent | Mr W.E. Tooke | Trinity |
| 1825 | Easter | Mr B.H. Kennedy | St John's |
| 1825 | Michaelmas | Mr J. Stock | Peterhouse |
| 1826 | Lent | Mr J. Wilson | Trinity |
| 1826 | Easter | Mr J.H. Smith | Corpus Christi |
| 1826 | Michaelmas | Mr C. Lillingston | Emmanuel |
| 1827 | Lent | Mr C. Buller | Trinity |
| 1827 | Easter | Mr J. Sterling | Trinity Hall |
| 1827 | Michaelmas | Mr S.H. Walpole | Trinity |
| 1828 | Lent | Mr J. Kemble | Trinity |
| 1828 | Easter | Mr R.C. Trench | Trinity |
| 1828 | Michaelmas | Mr H.H. Luscombe | Clare |
| 1829 | Lent | Mr J.W. Blakesley | Corpus Christi |
| 1829 | Easter | Mr C. Chapman | Corpus Christi |
| 1829 | Michaelmas | Mr P.H. Crutchley | Magdalene |
| 1830 | Lent | Mr L.S. Orde | Queens' |
| 1830 | Easter | Mr H. Matthew | Sidney Sussex |
| 1830 | Michaelmas | Mr L.S. Orde | Queens' |
| 1831 | Lent | Mr W.S. O'Brien | Trinity |
| 1831 | Easter | Mr J.W.D. Dundas | Magdalene |
| 1831 | Michaelmas | Mr W.H. Brookfield | Trinity |
| 1832 | Lent | Mr C.R. Kennedy | Trinity |
| 1832 | Easter | Mr H. Alford | Trinity |
| 1832 | Michaelmas | Mr R.A. Johnstone | Trinity |
| 1833 | Lent | Hon. C.W. Henniker | St John's |
| 1833 | Easter | Mr E. Warburton | Trinity |
| 1833 | Michaelmas | Mr J.E. Heathcote | Trinity |
| 1834 | Lent | Mr W.H. Brookfield* | Trinity |
| Hon. C. Henniker* | St John's | ||
| 1834 | Easter | Mr C. White | Magdalene |
| 1834 | Michaelmas | Mr C.G. Burke | Christ's |
| 1835 | Lent | Mr G.F. Townsend | Trinity |
| 1835 | Easter | Mr K. Macaulay | Jesus |
| 1835 | Michaelmas | Mr W.A. Mackinnon | St John's |
| 1836 | Lent | Mr W.F. Pollock | Trinity |
| 1836 | Easter | Mr T. Spankie | Trinity |
| 1836 | Michaelmas | Mr H.R. Goldfinch | Trinity |
| 1837 | Lent | Mr A. Baillie-Cochrane | Trinity |
| 1837 | Easter | Mr A.J. Ellis | Trinity |
| 1837 | Michaelmas | Mr R.N. Phillipps | Christ's |
| 1838 | Lent | Mr J.C. Tindal | Trinity |
| 1838 | Easter | Sir J. Lighton | St John's |
| 1838 | Michaelmas | Mr S.T. Bartlett | Clare |
| 1839 | Lent | Mr A.J.B. Hope | Trinity |
| Mr J.W. Donaldson | Trinity | ||
| 1839 | Easter | Mr C.J. Ellicott | St John's |
| 1839 | Michaelmas | Mr E.H.J. Crauford | Trinity |
| 1840 | Lent | Mr J.H. Bastard | Trinity |
| 1840 | Easter | Mr W. Werge | St John's |
| 1840 | Michaelmas | Mr J.A. Beaumont | Trinity |
| 1841 | Lent | Mr J.R. Stock | St John's |
| 1841 | Easter | Mr W. Cunliffe-Brooks | St John's |
| 1841 | Michaelmas | Mr T.H. Bullock | King's |
| 1842 | Lent | Mr E. Rudge | St Catharine's |
| Mr G. Crawshay | Trinity | ||
| 1842 | Easter | Mr Hardcastle | Peterhouse |
| 1842 | Michaelmas | Mr T.S. Western | Trinity |
| 1843 | Lent | Mr F.W. Gibbs | Trinity |
| 1843 | Easter | Hon F.S. Grimston | Magdalene |
| 1843 | Michaelmas | Mr G.W. King | Trinity |
| 1844 | Lent | Mr J.C.H. Ogier | Trinity |
| 1844 | Easter | Mr W. Blake | Trinity |
| 1844 | Michaelmas | Mr E.F. Fiske | Emmanuel |
| 1845 | Lent | Mr C. Babington | St John's |
| 1845 | Easter | Mr H. Lindsay | Trinity |
| 1845 | Michaelmas | Mr R.A. Cross | Trinity |
| 1846 | Lent | Mr J.F. Baird | Trinity |
| 1846 | Easter | Mr T Dealtry | Trinity |
| 1846 | Michaelmas | Mr A. Garfit | Trinity |
| 1847 | Lent | Hon W.F. Campbell | Trinity |
| 1847 | Easter | Mr J. Ll. Davies | Trinity |
| 1847 | Michaelmas | Mr A.A. VanSittart | Trinity |
| 1848 | Lent | Mr R.H. Parr | Trinity |
| 1848 | Easter | Mr J.F. Thrupp | Trinity |
| 1848 | Michaelmas | Mr F.H. Colt | Trinity |
| 1849 | Lent | Hon. A. Gordon | Trinity |
| 1849 | Easter | Mr W.V. Harcourt | Trinity |
| 1849 | Michaelmas | Mr J. Ll. Davies* | Trinity |
| 1850 | Lent | Mr A.H. Louis | Trinity |
| 1850 | Easter | Mr R. Temple | Trinity |
| 1850 | Michaelmas | Mr R. Stuart Lane | Gonville and Caius |
| 1851 | Lent | Mr H. Leach | Emmanuel |
| 1851 | Easter | Mr P. Laurence | Trinity |
| 1851 | Michaelmas | Mr H.A. Bright | Trinity |
| 1852 | Lent | Mr R.J. Cust | Trinity |
| 1852 | Easter | Mr J. Payn | Trinity |
| 1852 | Michaelmas | Mr F.J.A. Hort | Trinity |
| 1853 | Lent | Mr J. Lloyd | Trinity |
| 1853 | Easter | Mr A. Cohen | Magdalene |
| 1853 | Michaelmas | Mr E. Dicey | Trinity |
| 1854 | Lent | Mr C.T. Swanston | Trinity |
| 1854 | Easter | Mr H.W. Elphinstone | Trinity |
| 1854 | Michaelmas | Mr V. Lushington | Trinity |
| 1855 | Lent | Mr F. Kelly | Trinity |
| 1855 | Easter | Mr W.C. Gully | Trinity |
| 1855 | Michaelmas | Mr H.M. Butler | Trinity |
| 1856 | Lent | Mr WD Gardiner | Trinity |
| 1856 | Easter | Mr J.W. Dunning | Trinity |
| 1856 | Michaelmas | Mr E.E. Bowen | Trinity |
| 1857 | Lent | Mr C. Puller | Trinity |
| 1857 | Easter | Mr J.E. Gorst | St John's |
| 1857 | Michaelmas | Mr W.S. Smith | Trinity |
| 1858 | Lent | Mr C.A. Jones | St John's |
| 1858 | Easter | Mr R. O'Hara | Gonville and Caius |
| 1858 | Michaelmas | Mr E.H. Fisher | Trinity |
| 1859 | Lent | Mr H.C. Raikes | Trinity |
| 1859 | Easter | Mr O. Browning | King's |
| 1859 | Michaelmas | Mr T.W. Beddome | Trinity |
| 1860 | Lent | Mr C. Trotter | Trinity |
| 1860 | Easter | Mr H. Geary | Corpus Christi |
| 1860 | Michaelmas | Sir G. Young, Bart | Trinity |
| 1861 | Lent | Mr H. Sidgwick | Trinity |
| 1861 | Easter | Mr F. Ll. Bagshawe | Trinity |
| 1861 | Michaelmas | Mr G.O. Trevelyan | Trinity |
| 1862 | Lent | Mr W.M. Lane | Trinity |
| 1862 | Easter | Mr W.J. Lawrance | Trinity |
| 1862 | Michaelmas | Mr W. Everett | Trinity |
| 1863 | Lent | Mr E.L. O'Malley | Trinity |
| 1863 | Easter | Mr E.L. O'Malley* | Trinity |
| 1863 | Michaelmas | Mr A. Sidgwick | Trinity |
| 1864 | Lent | Mr R.D. Bennett | Trinity Hall |
| 1864 | Easter | Mr H. Jackson | Trinity |
| 1864 | Michaelmas | Mr C.W. Dilke | Trinity Hall |
| 1865 | Lent | Mr H. Peto | Trinity |
| 1865 | Easter | Mr J.R. Holland | Trinity |
| 1865 | Michaelmas | Mr E.S. Shuckburgh | Emmanuel |
| 1866 | Lent | Mr C.W. Dilke* | Trinity Hall |
| 1866 | Easter | Lord E. Fitzmaurice | Trinity |
| 1866 | Michaelmas | Mr H.L. Anderton | Gonville and Caius |
| 1867 | Lent | Mr W.R. Kennedy | King's |
| 1867 | Easter | Mr W.A. Lindsay | Trinity |
| 1867 | Michaelmas | Mr G.C. Whiteley | St John's |
| 1868 | Lent | Mr A.S. Wilkins | St John's |
| 1868 | Easter | Mr J.F. Moulton | Christ's |
| 1868 | Michaelmas | Mr E.A. Owen | Trinity |
| 1869 | Lent | Mr R.T. Wright | Christ's |
| 1869 | Easter | Mr Frank Watson | St John's |
| 1869 | Michaelmas | Mr J. Kennedy | King's |
| 1870 | Lent | Mr G. Warington | Gonville and Caius |
| 1870 | Easter | Mr A. Foster | St John's |
| 1870 | Michaelmas | Mr J.E. Symes | Downing |
| 1871 | Lent | Mr W.B. Odgers | Trinity Hall |
| 1871 | Easter | Mr J. De Soyres | Gonville and Caius |
| 1871 | Michaelmas | Mr C.G. Kellner | King's |
| 1872 | Lent | Mr W.F. MacMichael | Downing |
| 1872 | Easter | Mr W. Cunningham | Trinity |
| 1872 | Michaelmas | Mr T.O. Harding | Trinity |
| 1873 | Lent | Mr F.W. Maitland | Trinity |
| 1873 | Easter | Mr W.J. Scott | Trinity |
| 1873 | Michaelmas | Mr A.W. Verral | Trinity |
| 1874 | Lent | Mr C.S. Kenny | Downing |
| 1874 | Easter | Mr P.M. Laurence | Corpus Christi |
| 1874 | Michaelmas | Mr R.W. Jameson | Trinity |
| 1875 | Lent | Mr J.E.C. Munro | Downing |
| 1875 | Easter | Mr H.N. Martin | Christ's |
| 1875 | Michaelmas | Mr J.F. Skipper | St John's |
| 1876 | Lent | Mr J.E.C. Welldon | King's |
| 1876 | Easter | Mr J.F. Little | Downing |
| 1876 | Michaelmas | Mr R.C. Lehmann | Trinity |
| 1877 | Lent | Hon. H.N. Waldegrave | Trinity |
| 1877 | Easter | Mr J.F. Main | Trinity |
| 1877 | Michaelmas | Rev. A.G. Tweedie | Gonville and Caius |
| 1878 | Lent | Mr T.D. Hart | Downing |
| 1878 | Easter | Mr W.B. Milton | Trinity |
| 1878 | Michaelmas | Mr T.R. Hughes | Trinity |
| 1879 | Lent | Mr E.J.C. Morton | St John's |
| 1879 | Easter | Mr F.P. Lefroy | Trinity |
| 1879 | Michaelmas | Mr S.G. Ponsonby | Trinity |
| 1880 | Lent | Mr T.E. Scrutton | Trinity |
| 1880 | Easter | Mr J.P. Whitney | King's |
| 1880 | Michaelmas | Mr J.K. Stephen | King's |
| 1881 | Lent | Mr N.C. Hardcastle | Downing |
| 1881 | Easter | Mr Harold Cox | Jesus |
| 1881 | Michaelmas | Mr E.A. Parkyn | Christ's |
| 1882 | Lent | Mr O. Rigby | St John's |
| 1882 | Easter | Mr T. Beck | Trinity |
| 1882 | Michaelmas | Mr J. Peiris | St John's |
| 1883 | Lent | Mr F.L. Lucas | Trinity |
| 1883 | Easter | Mr J.R. Tanner | St John's |
| 1883 | Michaelmas | Mr G.S.W. Jebb | Trinity |
| 1884 | Lent | Mr W. Blain | St John's |
| 1884 | Easter | Mr W.H. Stables | Trinity |
| 1884 | Michaelmas | Mr W.A. Raleigh | King's |
| 1885 | Lent | Hon. W.G. Scott | Trinity |
| 1885 | Easter | Mr E.A. Goulding | St John's |
| 1885 | Michaelmas | Mr J.T. Bell | Trinity Hall |
| 1886 | Lent | Mr E.J. Griffith | Downing |
| 1886 | Easter | Mr L.J. Maxse | King's |
| 1886 | Michaelmas | Mr H. Boyd-Carpenter | King's |
| 1887 | Lent | Mr L.G.B.J. Ford | King's |
| 1887 | Easter | Mr F.E. Garrett | Trinity |
| 1887 | Michaelmas | Count Strickland | Trinity |
| 1888 | Lent | Mr W.W. Grantham | Trinity |
| 1888 | Easter | Mr R.R. Ottley | Trinity |
| 1888 | Michaelmas | Mr R.J. Wilkinson | Trinity |
| 1889 | Lent | Mr F.H. Maugham | Trinity Hall |
| 1889 | Easter | Mr C.H. Bompas | Trinity |
| 1889 | Michaelmas | Rev. E. Grose-Hodge | Trinity Hall |
| 1890 | Lent | Mr W.E. Brunyate | Trinity |
| 1890 | Easter | Hon. M.M. Macnaghten | Trinity |
| 1890 | Michaelmas | Mr J.E. McTaggart | Trinity |
| 1891 | Lent | Mr S.R.C. Bosanquet | Trinity |
| 1891 | Easter | Mr E.W. MacBride | St John's |
| 1891 | Michaelmas | Mr R.F. Graham Campbell | Trinity |
| 1892 | Lent | Mr H.W.L. O'Rorke | Trinity |
| 1892 | Easter | Mr Anton Bertram | Gonville and Caius |
| 1892 | Michaelmas | Mr G. Davidson Kempt | St John's |
| 1893 | Lent | Mr J. Howard B. Masterman | St John's |
| 1893 | Easter | Mr Peter Green | St John's |
| 1893 | Michaelmas | Mr Adolphus A. Jack | Peterhouse |
| 1894 | Lent | Mr Cathrew Fisher | Trinity |
| 1894 | Easter | Mr F.G. Thomas | Sidney Sussex |
| 1894 | Michaelmas | Mr F.B. Malim | Trinity |
| 1895 | Lent | Mr J.P. Thompson | Trinity |
| 1895 | Easter | Mr Montagu S. Butler | Pembroke |
| 1895 | Michaelmas | Mr L. Stuyvesant Chanler | Trinity |
| Mr D. Shearme | Trinity | ||
| 1896 | Lent | Mr C.F.G. Masterman | Christ's |
| 1896 | Easter | Mr P.W. Wilson | Clare |
| 1896 | Michaelmas | Mr F.W. Lawrence | Trinity |
| 1897 | Lent | Mr Frank Butler | Pembroke |
| 1897 | Easter | Mr C.R. Buxton | Trinity |
| 1897 | Michaelmas | Mr Ernest W. Barnes | Trinity |
| 1898 | Lent | Mr W. Craig Henderson | Trinity |
| 1898 | Easter | Mr W. Finlay | Trinity |
| 1898 | Michaelmas | Mr B.N. Langdon-Davies | Pembroke |
| 1899 | Lent | Mr T.F.R. McDonnell | St John's |
| 1899 | Easter | Mr J.R.P. Sclater | Emmanuel |
| 1899 | Michaelmas | Mr C.E. Guiterman | Trinity |
| 1900 | Lent | Mr A.C. Pigou | King's |
| 1900 | Easter | Mr G.F.S. Bowles | Trinity |
| 1900 | Michaelmas | Mr E.H. Young | Trinity |
| 1901 | Lent | Mr Geo. Claus Rankin | Trinity |
| 1901 | Easter | Mr H.S. Van Zijl | St John's |
| 1901 | Michaelmas | Mr F.W. Armstrong | St John's |
| 1902 | Lent | Mr D.H. Macgregor | Trinity |
| 1902 | Easter | Mr Percy B. Haigh | St John's |
| 1902 | Michaelmas | Mr E.S. Montagu | Trinity |
| 1903 | Lent | Mr J.G. Gordon | Trinity |
| 1903 | Easter | Mr Jas. Strachan | Clare |
| 1903 | Michaelmas | Mr J. Corry Arnold | St John's |
| 1904 | Lent | Mr F.E. Bray | Trinity |
| 1904 | Easter | Mr M.F.J. McDonnell | St John's |
| 1904 | Michaelmas | Mr J.T. Sheppard | King's |
| 1905 | Lent | Mr H.G. Wood | Jesus |
| Mr J.M. Keynes | King's | ||
| 1905 | Easter | Mr J.K. Mozley | Pembroke |
| 1905 | Michaelmas | Mr H.W. Harris | St John's |
| 1906 | Lent | Mr S.J.M. Sampson | Trinity |
| 1906 | Easter | Mr A.C.O. Morgan | Trinity |
| 1906 | Michaelmas | Mr A.P. Hughes-Gibb | Trinity |
| Mr H.A. Holland | Trinity | ||
| 1907 | Lent | Mr E.G. Selwyn | King's |
| 1907 | Easter | Mr F.D. Livingstone | Peterhouse |
| 1907 | Michaelmas | Mr O.F. Grazebrook | Gonville and Caius |
| 1908 | Lent | Mr R.M. Pattison Muir | Gonville and Caius |
| 1908 | Easter | Mr W.G. Elmslie | Pembroke |
| 1908 | Michaelmas | Mr C. Bethell | Trinity |
| 1909 | Lent | Mr E. Evans | Trinity Hall |
| 1909 | Easter | Mr A.D. McNair | Gonville and Caius |
| 1909 | Michaelmas | Mr A. Ramsay | Gonville and Caius |
| 1910 | Lent | Mr J.R.M. Butler | Trinity |
| 1910 | Easter | Mr G.G. Butler | Trinity |
| 1910 | Michaelmas | Mr W.N. Birkett | Emmanuel |
| 1911 | Lent | Mr H.P.W. Burton | St John's |
| 1911 | Easter | Mr J.H. Allen | Jesus |
| 1911 | Michaelmas | Mr D.H. Robertson | Trinity |
| 1912 | Lent | Mr K.F. Callaghan | Gonville and Caius |
| 1912 | Easter | Mr P.J. Baker | King's |
| 1912 | Michaelmas | Mr H.D. Henderson | Emmanuel |
| 1913 | Lent | Mr H. Wright | Pembroke |
| 1913 | Easter | Mr H. Grose Hodge | Pembroke |
| 1913 | Michaelmas | Mr E.P. Smith | Gonville and Caius |
| 1914 | Lent | Mr D.G. Rouquette | Sidney Sussex |
| 1914 | Easter | Mr G.K.M. Butler | Trinity |
| 1914 | Michaelmas | Mr J.H.B. Nihill | Emmanuel |
| 1915 | Lent | Mr H.D. Barnard | Jesus |
| 1915 | Easter | Mr H.I. Lloyd | Emmanuel |
| 1915 | Michaelmas | Mr O.H. Hoexter | Emmanuel |
| Mr D.E. Oliver | Trinity Hall | ||
| 1916 | Lent | Mr W.H. Ramsbottom | Emmanuel |
| 1916 | Easter | Mr F.O.C. Potter | Trinity Hall |
It was resolved at a Private Business Meeting held on Monday, May 8, 1916, to hold no elections for terminal officers in the Easter Term, nor subsequently for the duration of War, and that the functions of the Standing Committee be performed by the ex-officio members of the Committee.
1919-1939
| Year | Term | President | College |
| 1919 | Easter | Mr W.L. McNair | Gonville and Caius |
| 1919 | Michaelmas | Mr J.W. Morris | Trinity Hall |
| 1920 | Lent | Mr G.H. Shakespeare | Emmanuel |
| 1920 | Easter | Mr D.M. Reid | Emmanuel |
| 1920 | Michaelmas | Mr L.A. Abraham | Peterhouse |
| 1921 | Lent | Mr E.H.F. Morris | Christ's |
| 1921 | Easter | Mr G.G. Sharp | Fitzwilliam House |
| 1921 | Michaelmas | Mr G.W. Theobald | Emmanuel |
| 1922 | Lent | Mr W.D. Johnston | Christ's |
| 1922 | Easter | Mr R.E. Watson | St Catharine's |
| 1922 | Michaelmas | Mr Ian Macpherson | Trinity |
| 1923 | Lent | Mr G.G. Phillips | Trinity |
| 1923 | Easter | Mr R. Northam | Queens' |
| 1923 | Michaelmas | Mr R.H.L. Slater | Jesus |
| 1924 | Lent | Mr S.V.T. Adams | King's |
| 1924 | Easter | Mr R.A. Butler | Pembroke |
| 1924 | Michaelmas | Mr A.P. Marshall | Gonville and Caius |
| 1925 | Lent | Mr G.W. Lloyd | Trinity |
| 1925 | Easter | Mr J.W.G. Sparrow | Trinity Hall |
| 1925 | Michaelmas | Mr D.R. Hardman | Christ's |
| 1926 | Lent | Mr A.M. Ramsey | Magdalene |
| 1926 | Easter | Mr H.G.G. Herklots | Trinity Hall |
| 1926 | Michaelmas | Mr P.A. Devlin | Christ's |
| 1927 | Lent | Mr A.L. Hutchinson | Christ's |
| 1927 | Easter | Mr M.A.B. King-Hamilton | Trinity Hall |
| 1927 | Michaelmas | Mr J.S.B. Lloyd | Magdalene |
| 1928 | Lent | Mr H.L. Elvin | Trinity Hall |
| 1928 | Easter | Mr R.E. Stevenson | St John's |
| 1928 | Michaelmas | Mr G. Crowther | Clare |
| 1929 | Lent | Mr J.G. Leathem | St John's |
| 1929 | Easter | Mr H.M. Foot | St John's |
| 1929 | Michaelmas | Lord Pentland | Trinity |
| 1930 | Lent | Mr K. Adam | St John's |
| 1930 | Easter | Mr C.W. Jenks | Gonville and Caius |
| 1930 | Michaelmas | Mr L.J. Gamlin | Fitzwilliam House |
| 1931 | Lent | Mr J.D.F. Green | Peterhouse |
| 1931 | Easter | Mr K.W. Britton | Clare |
| 1931 | Michaelmas | Mr F. Elwyn Jones | Gonville and Caius |
| 1932 | Lent | Mr A.H. Snell | Jesus |
| 1932 | Easter | Mr A.E. Holdsworth | Gonville and Caius |
| 1932 | Michaelmas | Mr S.S. Dhavan | Emmanuel |
| 1933 | Lent | Mr T.R. Leathem | St John's |
| 1933 | Easter | Mr M.L. Barkway | Queens' |
| 1933 | Michaelmas | Mr T.A.W. Blackwell | Magdalene |
| 1934 | Lent | Mr S.B.R. Cooke | Gonville and Caius |
| 1934 | Easter | Mr Geoffrey De Freitas | Clare |
| 1934 | Michaelmas | Mr E.H. Evans | Gonville and Caius |
| 1935 | Lent | Count D.M. Tolstoy-Miloslavsky | Trinity |
| 1935 | Easter | Mr C.J.M. Alport | Pembroke |
| 1935 | Michaelmas | Mr A.W.G. Kean | Queens' |
| 1936 | Lent | Mr C. Fletcher Cooke | Peterhouse |
| 1936 | Easter | Mr J.A. Dobbs | Trinity Hall |
| 1936 | Michaelmas | Mr R.L. Miall | St John's |
| 1937 | Lent | Mr G.B. Croasdell | Pembroke |
| 1937 | Easter | Mr R.V. Gibson | Gonville and Caius |
| 1937 | Michaelmas | Mr F. Singleton | Emmanuel |
| 1938 | Lent | Mr J.M. Simonds | Magdalene |
| 1938 | Easter | Mr P.R. Noakes | Queens' |
| 1938 | Michaelmas | Mr S.M. Kumaramangalam | King's |
| 1939 | Lent | Hon. P.T.T. Butler | Trinity |
| 1939 | Easter | Mr P.B. Hague | Emmanuel |
| 1939 | Michaelmas | Mr P.G.B. Keuneman | Pembroke |
The election of Officers was suspended and a Committee of Management appointed.
Chairmen of debates, 1939-1944
| Year | Term | Chairman | College |
| 1939 | Michaelmas | Mr R.R. Pittam | Pembroke |
| 1940 | Lent | Mr G.L. Stewart | Fitzwilliam House |
| 1940 | Easter | Mr J.R.A. Bottomley | Trinity |
| 1940 | Michaelmas | Debates suspended | |
| 1941 | Lent | Mr J. Maynard Smith | Trinity |
| 1941 | Easter | Debates suspended | |
| 1941 | Michaelmas | Debates suspended | |
| 1942 | Lent | Debates suspended | |
| 1942 | Easter | Mr H.B. Dunkerley | King's |
| 1942 | Michaelmas | Mr G.A. Leven | Trinity |
| 1943 | Lent | Mr R.S. Taylor | St Catharine's |
| 1943 | Easter | Mr N.D. Sandelson | Trinity |
| 1943 | Michaelmas | Mr R.R. Feilden | Corpus Christi |
| 1944 | Lent | Mr J.S.B. Butler | King's |
| 1944 | Easter | Mr C. Salmon | Trinity Hall |
1944-
The election of Officers was resumed.
| Year | Term | President | College |
| 1944 | Michaelmas | Mr P. Goldman | Pembroke |
| 1945 | Lent | Mr S. Clement Davies | Trinity Hall |
| 1945 | Easter | Mr D.J.W. Coward | Trinity |
| 1945 | Michaelmas | Mr M.P. Frankel | Peterhouse |
| 1946 | Lent | Mr G.J. Carter | Magdalene |
| 1946 | Easter | Mr W.J.E. Coventon | Magdalene |
| 1946 | Michaelmas | Mr G.F. Boston | Clare |
| 1947 | Lent | Mr W.H.L. Richmond | Trinity |
| 1947 | Easter | Mr I.S. Lloyd | King's |
| 1947 | Michaelmas | Mr R.C.M. Young | King's |
| 1948 | Lent | Mr H.J.C. Berkeley | Pembroke |
| 1948 | Easter | Mr D.E.C. Price | Trinity |
| 1948 | Michaelmas | Mr T.C. Hewlett | Magdalene |
| 1949 | Lent | Mr G.W. Pattison | St John's |
| 1949 | Easter | Mr P.C.M. Curtis-Bennett | Christ's |
| 1949 | Michaelmas | Mr D.K. Freeth | Trinity Hall |
| 1950 | Lent | Mr P. Cradock | St John's |
| 1950 | Easter | Mr N. St John-Stevas | Fitzwilliam House |
| 1950 | Michaelmas | Mr R.G. Waterhouse | St John's |
| 1951 | Lent | Mr Jack Ashley | Gonville and Caius |
| Mr G. Mathur | Magdalene | ||
| 1951 | Easter | Mr D.G. Macmillan | Clare |
| 1951 | Michaelmas | Mr F.J. Williams | Trinity |
| 1952 | Lent | Mr G.E. Janner | Trinity Hall |
| 1952 | Easter | Mr D.R. Hurd | Trinity |
| 1952 | Michaelmas | Mr A.H. Sampson | Selwyn |
| 1953 | Lent | Mr P.J. Mansfield | Pembroke |
| 1953 | Easter | Mr I.J. McIntyre | St John's |
| 1953 | Michaelmas | Mr H.S. Thomas | Queens' |
| 1954 | Lent | Mr D. Mirfin | Magdalene |
| 1954 | Easter | Mr N.O. Tomalin | Trinity Hall |
| 1954 | Michaelmas | Mr G. Shaw | St John's |
| 1955 | Lent | Mr R.G. Moore | Trinity |
| 1955 | Easter | Mr J.D. Waite | Corpus Christi |
| 1955 | Michaelmas | Mr J.N. Crichton-Miller | Pembroke |
| 1956 | Lent | Mr M.D. Rosenhead | St John's |
| 1956 | Easter | Mr R.F. Peierls | Gonville and Caius |
| 1956 | Michaelmas | Mr K.W.J. Post | St John's |
| 1957 | Lent | Mr N.H. Marshall | St John's |
| 1957 | Easter | Mr D.R. Fairbairn | Gonville and Caius |
| 1957 | Michaelmas | Mr K.G. MacInnes | Trinity |
| 1958 | Lent | Mr C.T. Norman-Butler | Trinity |
| 1958 | Easter | Mr T.L. Higgins | Gonville and Caius |
| 1958 | Michaelmas | Mr J.H. Cockcroft | St John's |
| 1959 | Lent | Hon. J.P.F. St L. Grenfell | King's |
| 1959 | Easter | Mr J.W.F. Nott | Trinity |
| 1959 | Michaelmas | Mr B. Walsh | Gonville and Caius |
| 1960 | Lent | Mr C.S. Tugendhat | Gonville and Caius |
| 1960 | Easter | Mr L.A.C.F. Giovene di Girasole | St Catharine's |
| 1960 | Michaelmas | Mr L. Brittan | Trinity |
| 1961 | Lent | Mr A. Firth | Trinity |
| 1961 | Easter | Mr A.C. Renfrew | St John's |
| 1961 | Michaelmas | Mr P.G. Hancock | Emmanuel |
| 1962 | Lent | Mr J.S. Gummer | Selwyn |
| 1962 | Easter | Mr M Howard | Peterhouse |
| 1962 | Michaelmas | Mr B.H. Pollitt | King's |
| 1963 | Lent | Mr W.I.C. Binnie | Pembroke |
| 1963 | Easter | Mr K.H. Clarke | Gonville and Caius |
| 1963 | Michaelmas | Mr O. Weaver | Trinity |
| 1964 | Lent | Mr N.S.H. Lamont | Fitzwilliam House |
| 1964 | Easter | Mr C.E. Lysaght | Christ's |
| 1964 | Michaelmas | Mr J.C.H. Davies | Emmanuel |
| 1965 | Lent | Mr P.S. Fullerton | Gonville and Caius |
| 1965 | Easter | Mr J.V. Cable | Fitzwilliam House |
| 1965 | Michaelmas | Mr J.M.J. Burford | Emmanuel |
| 1966 | Lent | Mr R.A. Perlman | St Catharine's |
| 1966 | Easter | Mr A.J. Vinson | Gonville and Caius |
| 1966 | Michaelmas | Mr B.P. Crossley | Trinity |
| 1967 | Lent | Mr M. Horowitz | Pembroke |
| 1967 | Easter | Mr N.P.R. Wall | Trinity |
| 1967 | Michaelmas | Miss A. Mallalieu | Newnham |
| 1968 | Lent | Mr I. Martin | Emmanuel |
| 1968 | Easter | Mr G.W. Martin | Magdalene |
| 1968 | Michaelmas | Mr K.W. Jarrold | Sidney Sussex |
| 1969 | Lent | Mr P.J. Tyson-Cain | Downing |
| 1969 | Easter | Miss H.V. Middleweek | Newnham |
| 1969 | Michaelmas | Mr H.R.D. Anderson | Trinity |
| 1970 | Lent | Mr R.K. Evans | Trinity Hall |
| 1970 | Easter | Mr R. Dhavan | Emmanuel |
| 1970 | Michaelmas | Mr N.F. Stadlen | Trinity |
| 1971 | Lent | Mr P.L. Heslop | Christ's |
| 1971 | Easter | Mr R.M. Jackson | Jesus |
| 1971 | Michaelmas | Miss A-A. Stassinopoulos | Girton |
| 1972 | Lent | Mr D.J. Powell | St Catharine's |
| 1972 | Easter | Mr K.F. Carey | Downing |
| 1972 | Michaelmas | Mr C.R. Smith | Pembroke |
| 1973 | Lent | Mr A.G. Oppenheimer | Trinity |
| 1973 | Easter | Mr D.A. Grace | Magdalene |
| 1973 | Michaelmas | Mr E.M. Goyder | Trinity |
| 1974 | Lent | Mr H.H.J. Carter | Gonville and Caius |
| 1974 | Easter | Mr J.T. Harris | Trinity |
| 1974 | Michaelmas | Mr P.S. Weil | Jesus |
| 1975 | Lent | Mr D.M. Bean | Trinity Hall |
| 1975 | Easter | Mr D.P. Condit | Trinity |
| 1975 | Michaelmas | Mr P.L. Bazalgette | Fitzwilliam |
| 1976 | Lent | Mr C.J. Greenwood | Magdalene |
| 1976 | Easter | Mr D.W. Johnson | Selwyn |
| 1976 | Michaelmas | Mr P.J. Fudakowski | Magdalene |
| 1977 | Lent | Mr K. Thapar | Pembroke |
| 1977 | Easter | Mr A.T.A. Dallas | Emmanuel |
| 1977 | Michaelmas | Mr J.A. Turner | Gonville and Caius |
| 1978 | Lent | Mr A.J.B. Mitchell | Jesus |
| 1978 | Easter | Mr R.D. Harris | Selwyn |
| 1978 | Michaelmas | Mr D.J.M. Janner | Trinity Hall |
| 1979 | Lent | Mr E.J.I. Stourton | Trinity |
| 1979 | Easter | Mr D.J.A. Casserley | Jesus |
| 1979 | Michaelmas | Mr M.J. Booth | Trinity |
| 1980 | Lent | Mr M.A. Bishop | Trinity |
| 1980 | Easter | Miss M.J. Libby | Girton |
| 1980 | Michaelmas | Mr C.H. Gallagher | Jesus |
| 1981 | Lent | Mr D.N. Senior | Jesus |
| 1981 | Easter | Mr P.M. Sugarman | St John's |
| 1981 | Michaelmas | Mr G.W.C. Kavanagh | St John's |
| 1982 | Lent | Mr P.N.L. Harvey | St Catharine's |
| 1982 | Easter | Mr S.R.M. Baynes | Magdalene |
| 1982 | Michaelmas | Mr B.C. Jenkin | Corpus Christi |
| 1983 | Lent | Mr S.H. Milton | Gonville and Caius |
| 1983 | Easter | Miss M. MacDonagh | New Hall |
| 1983 | Michaelmas | Mr J.A. Lloyd | Fitzwilliam |
| 1984 | Lent | Mr G.B. Davies | St John's |
| 1984 | Easter | Mr A.J.H. Lownie | Magdalene |
| 1984 | Michaelmas | Miss L. Chapman-Jury | St John's |
| 1985 | Lent | Mr L.D. Anisfeld | Trinity |
| 1985 | Easter | Mr C.D. Blackwood | Gonville and Caius |
| 1985 | Michaelmas | Mr D.N. Walbank | Queens' |
| 1986 | Lent | Mr T.H. Oliver | St John's |
| 1986 | Easter | Mr C.D. Steele | Girton |
| 1986 | Michaelmas | Mr C.G. Earles | Sidney Sussex |
| 1987 | Lent | Mr M.P.N. Tod | St John's |
| 1987 | Easter | Mr M.P. Lindsay | Magdalene |
| 1987 | Michaelmas | Mr A.P. Ground | St John's |
| 1988 | Lent | Mr S.J. Greenhalgh | Trinity |
| 1988 | Easter | Mr C.M. Kelly | Trinity |
| 1988 | Michaelmas | Mr P.C.W. Pressdee | St John's |
| 1989 | Lent | Mr A. Aithal | Trinity |
| 1989 | Easter | Miss C.A. Doerries | New Hall |
| 1989 | Michaelmas | Mr N.A. Pink | Pembroke |
| 1990 | Lent | Mr C.H.M. Robson | St John's |
| 1990 | Easter | Mr C.D. Willink | Magdalene |
| 1990 | Michaelmas | Mr M.F. Harris | Corpus Christi |
| 1991 | Lent | Mr M.S. Scott-Fleming | Clare |
| 1991 | Easter | Mr R.S. Mitter | King's |
| 1991 | Michaelmas | Miss E.D. Johnson | Queens' |
| 1992 | Lent | Mr S.P.J. Nixon | Trinity |
| 1992 | Easter | Miss C.V. Balding | Newnham |
| 1992 | Michaelmas | Mr N.P. Allen | Emmanuel |
| 1993 | Lent | Mr B.M. Elkington | Trinity |
| 1993 | Easter | Mr G.L. Barwell | Trinity |
| 1993 | Michaelmas | Miss L.C. Frazer | Newnham |
| 1994 | Lent | Mr S. Swaroop | Magdalene |
| 1994 | Easter | Mr C.M. Farmer | Magdalene |
| 1994 | Michaelmas | Mr S.D. Kirk | Emmanuel |
| 1995 | Lent | Miss R.C. Penn | Churchill |
| 1995 | Easter | Mr N.J. Boys Smith | Peterhouse |
| 1995 | Michaelmas | Mr D.H. Branch | Magdalene |
| 1996 | Lent | Mr N. Chatrath | Jesus |
| 1996 | Easter | Mr A. Cannon | Magdalene |
| 1996 | Michaelmas | Miss I. Waddell | Newnham |
| 1997 | Lent | Mr A. Leek | Emmanuel |
| 1997 | Easter | Mr J. Shapiro | Peterhouse |
| 1997 | Michaelmas | Mr G. Weetman | Christ's |
| 1998 | Lent | Miss S. Raine | Trinity |
| 1998 | Easter | Miss R. Durkin | Corpus Christi |
| 1998 | Michaelmas | Mr A. Slater | Corpus Christi |
| 1999 | Lent | Mr O. Wellings | Pembroke |
| 1999 | Easter | Miss S. Gledhill | Christ's |
| 1999 | Michaelmas | Mr G. Bevis | Magdalene |
| 2000 | Lent | Miss V. Perkins | Pembroke |
| 2000 | Easter | Miss A. Newton | Newnham |
| 2000 | Michaelmas | Mr P.J. Abbott | Magdalene |
| 2001 | Lent | Miss D. Newman | Churchill |
| 2001 | Easter | Mr W.M. Tan | Trinity |
| 2001 | Michaelmas | Mr J.M. Brier | Christ's |
| 2002 | Lent | Mr J. Devanny | Jesus |
| 2002 | Easter | Mr M.W.S. Lynas | Trinity |
| 2002 | Michaelmas | Mr T.B. Kibasi (resigned) | Trinity |
| Mr T.H. Jeffery | Trinity | ||
| 2003 | Lent | Mr S.K. Kabraji | Trinity |
| 2003 | Easter | Mr E.C. Cumming | Downing |
| 2003 | Michaelmas | Mr W.E. Gallagher | Trinity Hall |
| 2004 | Lent | Mr S.G. Parkinson | Emmanuel |
| 2004 | Easter | Ms K. Steadman | New Hall |
| 2004 | Michaelmas | Mr R. Friedman | Emmanuel |
Fictional Presidents of the Cambridge Union Society
Will Bailey, a fictional character on The West Wing, a US television drama series, claimed to have been a 'former president of Cambridge Union'.
References
- Cradock, Percy (1953). Recollections of the Cambridge Union 1815-1939. Cambridge: Bowes & Bowes.