Philomathesian Society of Middlebury College

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The Philomathesian Society was a debate society founded at Middlebury College that became a staple of college life in the early part of the 19th century.

While the exact date of the organization’s founding is unknown, it began meeting sometime during the 1802-1803 school year and thrived through the first part of the 19th century, before eventually collapsing in 1868. The Philomathesian Society was a non-discriminatory group that met every Wednesday night to debate many of the same questions that plague our society in the 21st century. One of the most important aspects of the Philomathesian Society was its extensive library that was considered far superior to the actual College’s library.

Much of what we know about the Philomathesian society is derived from the extensive records that the group kept at each of its weekly meetings. Every question ever debated in the Philomathesian Society is chronicled in these volumes. Analyzing these issues, along with the number of members who agreed and/or disagreed with the resolution, provides us with a good view of the society’s views towards slavery, religion, and other important subjects of the era. Membership reached a peak in the 1830’s when the society decided to publish a literary magazine called “The Philomathesian.” This venture, however, quickly disbanded due to lack of funding as the society decided to refocus on its original purpose of oral debates.

Asahel Clark Philomathesian Society oration

Asahel Clark Philomathesian Society oration

Oration delivered at Meetinghouse in Middlebury on the 20th Day of August, 1806, being the anniversary commencement of Middlebury College, by Asahel Clark, Middlebury College Class of 1806. This is a scanned version of the original image in Special Collections and Archives at Middlebury...

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17 pages: 58% complete (0% indexed, 59% transcribed)
Philomathesian Society collectors book, 1827-1835

Philomathesian Society collectors book, 1827-1835

Collector’s book created by the Philomathesian Society, a student literary society, of Middlebury College.

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196 pages: 6% complete (1% indexed, 9% transcribed, 2% needs review)
Philomathesian Society collectors book, 1832-1835

Philomathesian Society collectors book, 1832-1835

Collector’s book created by the Philomathesian Society, a student literary society, of Middlebury College.

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238 pages: 5% complete (0% indexed, 5% transcribed)
Philomathesian Society constitution

Philomathesian Society constitution

Constitution of the Philomathesian Society, a student literary society, of Middlebury College.

8 pages: 75% complete (0% indexed, 88% transcribed, 13% needs review)
Philomathesian Society constitution

Philomathesian Society constitution

Constitution of the Philomathesian Society, a student literary society, of Middlebury College.

20 pages: 20% complete (10% indexed, 95% transcribed, 75% needs review)
Philomathesian Society correspondence, 1835-36

Philomathesian Society correspondence, 1835-36

Correspondence of the Philomathesian Society, a student literary society, of Middlebury College.

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112 pages: 15% complete (9% indexed, 18% transcribed, 3% needs review)
Philomathesian Society journal, 1803-1817

Philomathesian Society journal, 1803-1817

Journal of the Philomathesian Society, a student literary society, of Middlebury College.

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30 pages: 23% complete (0% indexed, 93% transcribed, 70% needs review)
Philomathesian Society journal, 1812-1829 v2

Philomathesian Society journal, 1812-1829 v2

Journal of the Philomathesian Society, a student literary society, of Middlebury College.

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453 pages: 0% complete (0% indexed, 5% transcribed, 4% needs review)
Philomathesian Society journal, 1812-1831 v3

Philomathesian Society journal, 1812-1831 v3

Journal of the Philomathesian Society, a student literary society, of Middlebury College.

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408 pages: 0% complete (0% indexed, 0% transcribed)
Philomathesian Society journal, 1817-1838

Philomathesian Society journal, 1817-1838

Journal of the Philomathesian Society, a student literary society, of Middlebury College.

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53 pages: 5% complete (0% indexed, 6% transcribed)
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