Skip to main content

Emersonian Literary Society (Purdue University)

 Organization

Historical Information

The Emersonian Literary Society was founded in 1887 to supplement the already strong tradition of literary societies at Purdue. This was due primarily to increasing enrollment at in the older literary societies and at Purdue in general. Students began work to start the society in 1886, but a charter was not granted by the faculty until 1887. The society focused on the intellectual development of its members, particularly in the discussion and debate of literary works and current events. Due to declining membership and interest in literary societies in general, the Emersonian merged with the Irving in 1924, forming the Irving-Emersonian Literary Society. In 1926, the Irving-Emersonian was absorbed by the national honorary fraternity Kappa Phi Sigma, effectively joining three literary societies. Kappa Phi Sigma appears to have been active until 1937, when it no longer appears in the student handbook section on activities and organizations.

Citation:
MSP 34, Irving Literary Society records, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries
Citation:
Debris Yearbooks, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries
Citation:
Purdue University Student Council. Student’s handbook of Purdue University. Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Emersonian Literary Society records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 142
Scope and Contents The Emersonian Literary Society records documents the activities of the Emersonian Literary Society.  The collection includes records books that document the weekly meetings of the society, as well as membership and included correspondence.  The ephemera portion of the collection documents annual events hosted by the Emersonian and other literary societies, tickets to society events, and Debris clippings about the group.  Unfortunately, there is no documentation of the Emersonian or other...
Dates: 1887 - 1924

Filtered By

  • Subject: Purdue University -- Students -- Social life and customs -- 20th Century X