Historians believe that the name of the society derives from the maxim of the French philosopher, Rene Descartes - "Cogito Ergo Sum" - "I think therefore I am". Its founder members were friends of John Wilkes, a leader of popular agitation against the ministers of George the Third in the cause of freedom of the press. He was the first of three members of the Cogers to be elected to the office of Lord Mayor. Since its foundation, the membership list of the Cogers has also included Aldermen, Members of Parliament, Judges, lawyers, politicians, editors, journalists, publishers and writers. Many debating societies were suppressed by an Act of Parliament of 1795. The Cogers survived by adopting a policy of strict political neutrality. Over the years the society has provided a platform for the views of Whigs, Tories, Jacobites, Chartists, Liberals, Conservatives, Socialists, Monarchists, Republicans and Democrats as well as those owing no allegiance to any political party or political movement.

City Cogers	Monday 10th January 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 17th January 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 18th January 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 26th January 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
City Cogers	Monday 14th February 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 21st February 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 15th February 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 23th February 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
City Cogers	Monday 14th March 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 21st March 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 15th March 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 30th March 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
City Cogers	Monday 11th April 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 18th April 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 19th April 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 27th April 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
City Cogers Cogers	Monday 9th May 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 16th May 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 17th May 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 25th May 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
City Cogers	Monday 13th June 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 20th June 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 21st June 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 22nd June 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
City Cogers	Monday 11th July 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 18th July 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 19th July 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 27th July 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
City Cogers	Monday 8th August 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 15th August 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 16th August 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 24th August 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
City Cogers	Monday 12th September 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 19th September 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 17th September 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 28th September 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
City Cogers	Monday 10th October 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 17th October 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 18th October 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 26th October 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
City Cogers	Monday 14th November 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 21st November 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Westminster Cogers	Wednesday 23rd November 2007	19:00	The Plumbers Arms, 14 Lower Belgrave Street, near Victoria Station
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 18th November 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts
City Cogers	Monday 14th November 2007	18:30	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Sylvan's Debating Society	Monday 19th December 2007	18:30 for 19:00	Old Bank of England Pub, Fleet Street
Ware Society of Cogers	Tuesday 20th December 2007	20:00	The Old Drill Hall, Amwell End, Ware, Herts