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Carlyle Literary Society (Purdue University)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1881 - 1923

Historical Information

The Carlyle Literary Society was started in 1881. Originally a part of the Irving Literary Society, the twenty-six founding members of the Carlyle left the Irving as a result of growing discontent within the society. The Carlyle, like the other literary societies at Purdue, hosted annual events showcasing their skills. The society was also involved in the publication of The Purdue (an early student-run newspaper) and eventually The Exponent. The Carlyle held weekly meetings in Society Hall, a space they shared with the Philalethian Literary Society (the first women’s society on campus). The Carlyle Literary Society eventually joined four literary societies at other universities to found Kappa Phi Sigma, a national honorary literary fraternity in 1923. After this time, the Carlyle Literary Society as a distinct entity ceased to function, instead acting under the auspices of Kappa Phi Sigma. This may have been due in part to the apparent decrease in student interest in such societies around this time. Kappa Phi Sigma was active until 1937, when it no longer appeared in the student handbook lists of activities and organizations.

Citation

Debris yearbooks, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

MSP 101, Philalethean Literary Society records, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

MSP 34, Irving Literary Society records, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Carlyle Literary Society records

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSP 141
Scope and Contents The Carlyle Literary Society records (1881-1922; 1 cubic foot) documents the meetings and activities of the Carlyle Literary Society, active at Purdue from 1881-1923.  The collection includes records books that document the meetings of the society, its finances, and its constitution, as well as programs documenting society-sponsored events, and surveys administered to prospective new members.  At this time, there are no records documenting the change by the Carlyle Literary Society to Kappa Phi...
Dates: 1881 - 1922