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ARCHIVAL AND MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS

Philomathia Society (1868-1917) Minute Books

 Collection
Identifier: 38/4

Scope and Contents

The Philomathia Society Minute Books record the minutes of this Northwestern Academy literary society from its inception on May 8, 1868, to its final meeting on May 4, 1917, with a break of over 11 years, from February 1893 to September 1904. Philomathia, meaning “love of learning,” was founded to “supplement the routine of school-work by providing an opportunity for original thinking and expression,” according to an essay in the 1907 Academy annual, The Bear (p.38). The Society met on an irregular weekly schedule, usually on Fridays.

Dates

  • 1904-1917

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is stored off-site and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.

Extent

3.00 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Philomathia Society Minute Books record the minutes of this Northwestern Academy literary society from its inception on May 8, 1868, to its final meeting on May 4, 1917, with a break of over 11 years, from February 1893 to September 1904. Philomathia, meaning “love of learning,” was founded to “supplement the routine of school-work by providing an opportunity for original thinking and expression,” according to an essay in the 1907 Academy annual, The Bear (p.38). The Society met on an irregular weekly schedule, usually on Fridays.

Arrangement Note

The five bound volumes are shelved in chronological order, with a gap of more than eleven years between volumes three and four.

Method of Acquisition

These volumes were donated, by order of the Society, to the University Library after each was completed. They were transferred to the University Archives sometime prior to June 1, 1974 (Accession #74-133).

Related Materials

Adelphic Literary Society Minute Book, 1877-1893 (Series 31/6/9).

Hinman Literary Society Minute Books and Librarian's Record, 1857-1868, 1869-1882 (Series 31/6/8).

Rogers Debating Society Minute Book, 1904-1913 (Series 31/6/10).

Processing Information

Andrew Leslie, July 1980.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Philomathia Society (1868-1917) Minute Books
Author
Andrew Leslie
Date
01/07/1980
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository

https://www.library.northwestern.edu/libraries-collections/mccormick-library/index.html
Contact:
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635