Irving Literary Society Papers
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: RG11-02-002
Scope and Contents
This collection contains the records and ephemera of the Irving Literary Society at Western Maryland College. The collection spans the years the society was active on campus, approximately 1868-1935. It is arranged into four series: records books, manuscripts, gazettes, and artifacts. The majority of the collection consists of minutes and critics books detailing the meetings and member activities of the society. Copies of the Irving Literary Gazette, the society’s campus publication, also make up a significant portion of the collection. The Gazette includes literary features as well as news from the campus and community. Copies of the 1868 and 1879 issues can be found in the James T. Ward library.
Dates
- 1868 - 1935
Creator
Biographical / Historical
The Western Maryland College Irving Literary Society was the first social and cultural student organization on campus. Named for author, Washington Irving, and founded by President J.T. Ward, the society originated at Fayette Buell's Westminster Seminary before being reestablished at WMC in 1867. The Irving Literary Society originally included both male and female members alongside faculty. In 1868-1869, the female members split off to form the Browning Literary Society.
The Irving Literary Society also produced the first literary publication at the College in February 1868. Maggie A. Fowler, principal of the Prepartory Department, acted as the first editor. The publication ran for 3 issues before being discontinued until 1881.
The Society briefly disbanded in 1869 but was revitalized in 1871. That same year, the Webster Literary Society, also for male students, formed on campus. The first oratory contests between the Irving and Webster Literary Society were held at the 1872 commencement and remained a staple of commencement activities for years to come.
By 1930, interest in the literary societies on campus had dwindled signficantly leading the Irving and Wesbter societies to unite into one organization. By 1935, literary socities had faded from campus coinciding with the rise of Greek organizations at WMC.
The Irving Literary Society also produced the first literary publication at the College in February 1868. Maggie A. Fowler, principal of the Prepartory Department, acted as the first editor. The publication ran for 3 issues before being discontinued until 1881.
The Society briefly disbanded in 1869 but was revitalized in 1871. That same year, the Webster Literary Society, also for male students, formed on campus. The first oratory contests between the Irving and Webster Literary Society were held at the 1872 commencement and remained a staple of commencement activities for years to come.
By 1930, interest in the literary societies on campus had dwindled signficantly leading the Irving and Wesbter societies to unite into one organization. By 1935, literary socities had faded from campus coinciding with the rise of Greek organizations at WMC.
Extent
8.00 boxes
Language of Materials
English
Box List
Box 1
- Minutes Book, 1910-1927
- Critics Book, 1911-1912
- Treasury Book, 1892-1899
- Treasury Book, 1879-1891
- Library Book Log, 1887-1904
- Critics Book, 1885-1889
- Minutes Book, 1880-1889
- Critics Book, 1879-1885
Box 2
- Minutes Book, 1903-1929
- Constitution & Revision, 1872; Criticsm, 1873-1874
- Constitution & Bylaws
- Minutes Book, 1897-1903
- Minutes Book, 1873-1880
- Minutes Book, 1889-1897
- Crayon Miscellany, 1875-1877
Box 3
- Minutes Book, 1929-1933
- Critics Book, 1917-1929
- Constitution, Bylaws, Notes, 1905-1931
- Reading Room Register, 1904
Box 4
- Paper Manuscripts
Box 5
- Secretary's Book & Minutes, 1931-1934
- Secretary's Book & Minutes, 1931-1935
- Roll Book, 1888-1891
- Critics Book, 1872-1875
- Critics Book, 1876-1878
- Critics Book, 1874-1875
- Minutes Book, 1869-1871
- Roll Book with Minutes, 1879-1881
- Roll Book, 1892-1896
Box 6
- Artifacts
Box 7
- Irving Literary Gazettes, June 1868-June 1884
Box 8
- Irving Literary Gazettes, September 1884-June 1887
Creator
- Title
- "Irving Literary Society Papers 1872-1935"
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Gwenlyn Coddington
- Date
- 2022-04-12
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Container: RG11.02.002 Box 1 (Books)
- Container: RG11.02.002 Box 2 (Books)
- Container: RG11.02.002 Box 3 (Books)
- Container: RG11.02.002 Box 4 (Text)
- Container: RG11.02.002 Box 5 (Books)
- Container: RG11.02.002 Box 6 (Realia)
- Container: RG11.02.002 Box 7 (Text)
- Container: RG11.02.002 Box 8 (Text)
- Container: RG11.02.002 Banner (Realia)
Repository Details
Part of the McDaniel College Repository
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