The English-Speaking Union of the United States (ESU US)
is a non-profit, non-political, educational service organization
whose mission is to promote scholarship and the advancement
of knowledge through the effective use of English in an expanding
global community.
Headquartered in New York City, the ESU US implements programs
through a network of 78 Branches throughout the United States.
We share a common mission with International ESUs in 52
nations, with whom we work to advance our mission through
education and exchange programs.
The ESU was launched in London on 28 June 1918 on the initiative
of journalist, Evelyn Wrench together with sixteen friends,
with the aim of promoting closer ties between English speaking
peoples from around the world. Former Prime Minister A.
J. Balfour addressed the first public meeting of the organization.
It is notable that in April 1921, Winston Churchill became
Chairman, as the previous Chairman - Lord Reading - departed
to become Viceroy of India. Churchill remained Chairman
until 1926. As early as 1920 the first scholarship exchange
programs were launched in several U.S. branches.
