In 1861, while in England, Leo Tolstoy temporarily became a member of the Athenæum Club. During this time, he attended a lecture by Charles Dickens, the English classic, whom he had long dreamed of meeting. According to Tolstoy's recollections, Dickens impressed him with his erudition and well-groomed, strong figure. Ivan Turgenev, another famous Russian writer, also frequently visited this club during his trips to London.