The ideals of the Parisian salons spread throughout the world in the 18th and 19th century. Each country developed a unique take on the French tradition. In England, coffee houses became popular places to discuss the ideas and news of the day, while South American squares took on the role of hosting salon-like public gatherings. However, the American tradition of college literary societies incorporates more of the features of the French salon than other regional interpretations.
Perhaps the most obvious influence of the French salons on the American literary societies was the use of classical themes, names, and purpose. Many of the early literary societies took on Latin or Greek names. As well, the inclusion of the societies at colleges was designed to enhance education in the humanities often with reference to Horace’s Ars Poetica. Indeed, the frequent employment of Italianate architecture at American colleges would have provided a setting not unlike the early French salons which were often held in Italian styled halls.
The earliest American college literary society appeared in 1750 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. The society took on a Latin motto for its name, “Fraternitas, Humanitas, et Cognitio”, which was soon abbreviated as F.H.C. and became popularly referred to as the Flat Hat Club. Other early societies were established in pairs. The first paired societies were the Crotonian and Linonian societies established at Yale in 1750 and 1753, respectively.
The pairing of literary societies was by no means a coincidence. Rather, the sets were established so that students could improve their oratory and reasoning skills through public debates. The debates often covered topics that were too controversial to include in the curriculum. Additionally, the early societies fulfilled a number of functions that were instrumental to the establishment of humanities and liberal arts programs in the U.S. Notable politicians and philosophers were often invited to give speeches. The societies organized their own orations and poetry readings as well they often published newsletters and journals. But perhaps the most important role of the societies was maintaining a library. Not only were books extremely expensive by modern standards in the 18th and 19th century but public libraries were unheard of until the middle of the 20th century. Colleges responded to these student maintained inventions by funding the construction of separate buildings to house both societies and their libraries. These libraries were often the most comfortable rooms on campus and they quickly became popular locations for social gatherings and study.
Greek chapters emerged as early as 1839, with the University of Miami’s Beta Theta Pi fraternity. However, there is much debate regarding the first Greek letter society. The Chi Phi society of Princeton claims its foundation as 1824 since it was founded when the school’s three literary societies merged. The Phi Beta Kappa society of William and Mary College claims 1776 as its founding year. Fraternities were initially established as an auxiliary associations within the established literary societies. They emerged as secret unions between a small number of members who were also participants in the larger literary societies of their college. For the most part, membership early on was restricted to senior students. The fraternities retained some of the traditions established by their literary predecessors. For instance, the competitive recruitment and pranks commonly associated with today’s fraternities were practised at a number of literary societies. However, unlike their predecessors, fraternities eventually grew to include chapters at multiple colleges. By the middle of the 20th century most colleges had abandoned literary societies in favor of the fraternity tradition.
A number of literary societies are still in operation under their original charter. And, indeed, they have continued to demonstrate their importance to American collegiate life wherever they are still in operation either through traditional practices, such as debates, or through the successes of their many alumni. Many societies still invite guest speakers and host debates. A number of societies are engaged in digitizing their libraries, which represent some of the oldest collections in the U.S. Several prominent academic publications are edited by literary societies today.
Indeed, the Philomathean Literary Society of Erskine college has produced a number alumni that prove the continued relevance of literary societies in the modern world. Perhaps, the most famous Philomathean alumni is Erskine Caldwell. After the critical success of his third novel Tobacco Road, Caldwell became one of the most read authors in the U.S. during the 20th century. As well, Caldwell ties the Philomathean Literary Society to the deep roots of the tradition. Were it not for F. Scott Fitzgerald, who introduced the young Caldwell to publishers after reading several of his short stories, Caldwell may never have found a publisher. Perhaps, Fitzgerald’s involvement in the Triangle Club and Gertrude Stein’s Paris salons led him to recognize a kindred spirit in Caldwell. After all, the various literary societies and clubs of Princeton figure largely in Fitzgerald’s first novel, “This Side of Paradise.”