Alethean Society, 1860-1909
Scope and Contents
This collection is arranged into five series based on organization or program name, with one series of general information.
Series 1. General - Beloit College students were also members of other regional oratorical associations (Wisconsin State Oratorical Association, Interstate Oratorical Association) and participated in debates representing them. Many debate programs, which include the topic for discussion, lists of speakers for and against, and judges names. Orations events programs list speakers and their topics, as well as music programs and other highlights. The bound volumes from state and interstate oratorical contests contain published versions of orations given by participants, including Beloit College and non-Beloit speakers.
Series 2. Alethean Society - This series contains bound, handwritten record books with meeting minutes, some in a very fragile state.
Series 3. Archaean Union - This series contains a sizeable collection of public meeting notices and other announcements for debates and orations. They kept detailed record books in the 1800s that included their Constitution, Preamble, and By-Laws. Robert K. Richardson also transcribed relevant materials from Round Table articles, Senate minutes, and other publications as part of his research for his update of the Beloit College history book.
Series 4. Cliosophic Literary Society - This series contains bound, handwritten record books with meeting minutes, some in a very fragile state.
Series 5. Delian Society - This series contains bound, handwritten record books that include their constitution, by-laws, and meeting minutes.
Dates
- 1860-1909
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research; however, certain materials are very fragile and require Archives staff for handling, or use may be restricted altogether.
Biographical / Historical
There were two debating societies, the Delian and the Alethean, which held their weekly meetings for the discussion of all sorts of questions; and these jointly formed the Archaean Union, which once in each term had its public debate.
The Alethean Society was organized December 15, 1859. This society comprised one of the two divisions of the Archaean Society, which existed from 1851 until the division took place.
September 21, 1870, 9 men…resigned from the Alethean on account of some misunderstanding. These men formed the members of the Utropaean, but became members of the Alethean again by signing the constitution during December, 1870. Joint meetings were held from time to time with the Delian Society, in which very fine, interesting debates arose.
[from Codex 1890 p. 59-62]
Prominent members include J.W. Blodgett, George B. Ingersoll, C.E. Peet.
Extent
From the Collection: 7 Linear Feet (10 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Beloit College Archives and Special Collections, Beloit, WI Repository