Washington and Lee University, University Library Special Collections and Archives
Washington Literary Society records
Washington and Lee University. Washington Literary Society
WLU.RG.39.0002
/repositories/5/resources/1264
16.25 Linear Feet
15 flat boxes, one half-size document box
1814-1953
English
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for use.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Washington Literary Society Records (RG 39.0002), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains the records of the Washington Literary Society. It includes the Secretary's books (meeting minutes, debate topics, membership rolls), treasurer's books, librarian's books, and roll books and membership registers. It also includes record material associated with
The Southern Collegian, including a record book and correspondence. The collection ranges in date from 1814-1918.
Separated Materials
The library of the Washington Literary Society has been cataloged.
Addresses presented before the Society have been cataloged.
Conditions Governing Use
The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.
Historical Note
According to a published historical sketch, the Washington Literary Society was founded in 1812 on the Washington Academy campus (now Washington and Lee University). Its activities were likely interrupted or suspended due to the War of 1812. The written records of the Society begin in February 1814. Its first officers were John Woods (President), John Stowe Jones (Secretary), and Alfred McCay as Censor. The first question chosen to debate was whether it was advantageous for a young man to read ancient history first or modern history first. The Society purchased and maintained a library for its membership.
Both the Washington Literary Society and the Graham Philanthropic Society helped to launch
The Southern Collegian, and their respective editors served to co-edit this new publication.
Related Materials
Charles F. Campbell Washington Literary Society Certificate (RG 62.0068)
Graham Philanthropic Society Records (RG 39.0001)
Debates and debating
Student activities -- Societies, etc.
Washington and Lee University. Graham Philanthropic Society
Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292841814-181711Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292851817-182012Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292861820-182213Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292871822-182414Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292881825-182621Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292891826-182922Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292901829-183323Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292911833-183531Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292921835-183732Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292931838-184133Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292941841-184541Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292951845-185642Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292961856-186051Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292971860-186452Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292981865-187861Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292991879-189471Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293001894-190381Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293011903-191482Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293021914-192491Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/326171946-1953161Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293031819-182592Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293041825-182893Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293051832-1844101Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293061834-1840102Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293071840-1844103Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293081844-1846104Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293091846-185072Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293101855-185873Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293111865-1867111Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293121867-1869112Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293131909-1917113Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293141834-1836114Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293151838-1840121Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293161840-1841122Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293171844-1847131Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293181847-1852132Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293191852-1857133Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293201864131Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293211867-1882134Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293221875123Roll Book and Register/repositories/5/archival_objects/293231866-1867142Roll Book and Register/repositories/5/archival_objects/293241868-1874143Roll Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/293251915-1918124Record Book for the Southern Collegian/repositories/5/archival_objects/293261868-1890144Constitution/repositories/5/archival_objects/29330circa 1814151Scope and ContentsPossible second revision
Constitution/repositories/5/archival_objects/29331circa 1814152Scope and ContentsPossible third revision
Constitution/repositories/5/archival_objects/32618circa 1814-1828162Scope and ContentsIncludes membership list
Constitution/repositories/5/archival_objects/32619circa pre-1837163Constitution and By-Laws Drafts/repositories/5/archival_objects/29327undated153Constitution, By-Laws, Amendments/repositories/5/archival_objects/32620undated164Correspondence/repositories/5/archival_objects/293321867, 1871-1872, 1878154Subscriptions for refitting the Hall/repositories/5/archival_objects/29333circa 1867-1872155Invitations and Programs/repositories/5/archival_objects/293351843, 1847, 1849, 1853-1855, 1857, 1858, 1861, 1867-1869156Invitations and Programs/repositories/5/archival_objects/293361870-1871, 1876, 1880157Typescript Notes about the Society/repositories/5/archival_objects/29328undated158"A Brief Historical Sketch" brochure/repositories/5/archival_objects/29329undated159The Southern Collegian Foundational Documents/repositories/5/archival_objects/293341868 October 16, circa 18681510Scope and ContentsAn undated documented (circa 1868) created by a committee of the Washington Literary Society outlines a proposal for a newspaper in lieu of a magazine which was considered cost prohibitive. The name proposed for the newspaper was "Liberty Hall News.' The second document dated October 16, 1868 documents a joint committee meeting between the Washington Literary and Graham Philanthropic Societies to "decide upon the best method of conducting the College Paper."
Fragment/repositories/5/archival_objects/29337undated1511