On May 20, 1957 Marshall B. Wood invited several local Palm Beach residents to his home to meet Roger Hawthorne, Executive Assistant to the President of the English Speaking Union of the United States and Dennis Hennessey, British Consul in Miami.  At that meeting the participants decided to start a branch of the ESU in Palm Beach, anticipating a membership of 75 people.  A Board of Directors was selected, with Marshall Wood chosen as President and Ira NeSmith First Vice-President .