Adelphian Society

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Adelphian Society
FoundedOctober 31, 1840
Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution
TypeLiterary society
ScopeLocal
Chapters1
Merged1890
SuccessorBeta Theta chapter of Beta Theta Pi
HeadquartersHamilton, New York
United States

The Adelphian Society was a college literary society established in 1840 at the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution (today Colgate University) in Hamilton, New York. It merged into Beta Theta Pi fraternity in 1880.

History[edit]

The Aldelphian Society was organized on October 31, 1840 at the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution.[1] The society was formed by 31 men led by its first president, Orrin Bishop Judd.

The Adelphian Society was founded on the same day as the Aeonian Society. The two literary societies were built on the remains of the college's first literary societies, Gamma Phi Society and Pi Delta, established in 1833 and 1834, respectively.[2][3] Competition for members between the two societies led to faculty intervention, with the result that both seem to have been dissolved in 1840 when the Adelphian and Aeonian Societies came into existence.[3]

The purpose of the Aldelphian Society was to “progress in literary attainments and cultivation among all the members of an undecaying friendship."[1] Its main activity was the presentation of original works by students.[3] This activity resulted in faculty approval as the group "stimulated the development of oral and written expression, which were phases of the curriculum badly in need of expansion.”[3]

On December 10, 1880, the Adelphian Society became the Beta Theta chapter of the national Beta Theta Pi fraternity.[4][1]

The Aldelphian Society's records are held at the Special Collections and University Archives of Colgate University Libraries.[1]

Related organizations[edit]

In 1850, five members of the Adelphian Society transferred to the newly formed University of Rochester and founded the Delphic Society.[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Collection: Adelphian Society records, A1022 |". Colgate University. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  2. ^ Ward, Rebekah (October 29, 2010). "The History of Greek Life". The Colgate Maroon-News. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Leach, James. "Early student organizations". Colgate at 200 Years. Colgate University. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  4. ^ Soule, Jeffrey L. "Beta Theta Chapter History". The Beta Theta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  5. ^ "Interpres: Results | RBSCP". Rbscp.lib.rochester.edu. Retrieved August 16, 2019.