Washington and Lee University, University Library Special Collections and Archives
Graham Philanthropic Society records
Washington and Lee University. Graham Philanthropic Society
Washington and Lee University. Graham-Lee Society
WLU.RG.39.0001
/repositories/5/resources/73
14.5 Linear Feet
15 boxes (1 document case, 14 flat boxes)
1809-1942
English
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Graham Philanthropic Society Records (RG 39.0001), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA.
Historical Note
The Graham Philanthropic Society was a literary and debating society founded on September 8, 1809 at Washington Academy (now Washington and Lee University). Founding members were John D. Paxton, Edward C. Carrington, James W. Paxton, Gustavus A. Jones, John P. Wilson, Randolph Ross, William C. Preston, Joseph S. Brown, and Uel Wilson. They often met in Graham Hall/Graham-Lee Hall as well as other locations in the City of Lexington.
In addition to debates, the Society established its own library. Approximately 2000 volumes from this library went missing during Hunter's Raid in 1863.
The name changed to the Graham-Lee Society around 1871. Membership declined greatly after World War I. The collection ranges in date from 1809-1942.
Scope and Contents
This collection includes secretary's books, treasurer's book, librarian's book, treasurer's books, librarian's books, roll books, and constitutions of the Graham Philanthropic Society. The secretary's books document the minutes of the meetings. The first volume in the collection includes the creating documents when the Society was founded in 1809. The books include accounts of debates on current political and social questions, financial information, membership information, and records of student library use.
General
This collection's former unique identifer was WLU Coll. 0149.
Separated Materials
Addresses that were given before the Society have been cataloged.
The Society's surviving library books have also been cataloged.
Related Materials
Washington Literary Society Records (RG 39.0002)
William E. Walkup Diplomas (RG 62.0015)
Virginia -- Lexington
Student activities -- Societies, etc.
Libraries
Debates and debating
Washington and Lee University. Washington Literary Society
Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292211809-181311Scope and ContentsThis volume includes the Society's first constitution.
Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292341813-181712Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292351817-181913Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292361819-182214Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292371822-182521Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292381832-183622Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292411836-183823Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292421838-184231Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292431845-185141Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292441851-185632Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292521865-187551Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292531875-187752Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292551875-189761Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292561897-191771Secretary's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292571917-194281Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292391825-183982Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292401833-184083Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292451855-186191Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292581865-186892Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292591868-186993Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292601869-1871101Treasurer's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292611871-1872102Honorary Members of the Society/repositories/5/archival_objects/292461865-1875103Roll Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292541866-1869104By-Laws and Rules of Order/repositories/5/archival_objects/292621868111Constitution and Member Pledge/Roll/repositories/5/archival_objects/292631859-1940112Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292641840-1841121Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292651840-1844122Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292661841-1844123Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292671844-1846124Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292681866-1868131Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292691868-1872132Librarian's Book/repositories/5/archival_objects/292701872-1873133Constitution of the Graham-Lee Society and Membership Lists/repositories/5/archival_objects/292711898-1937141Secretary's Book for Joint Sessions of the Graham-Lee and Washington Literary Societies/repositories/5/archival_objects/292721904-1910142Secretary's Book for Joint Sessions of the Graham-Lee and Washington Literary Societies/repositories/5/archival_objects/292731910-1914143Front and Back Cover to Censor's Book (no pages)/repositories/5/archival_objects/292831873-1874141Broadside/repositories/5/archival_objects/29274circa 1867-1868151Event Invitations/repositories/5/archival_objects/292751849, 1853, 1855-1856, 1858, 1861, 1866-1869, 1870-1871152Fragment of the By-Laws/repositories/5/archival_objects/29276undated153Printed Constitution and By-Laws of the Graham-Lee Society/repositories/5/archival_objects/292771880, 1886, 1891, 1893, 1911, 1925154Correspondence regarding redecorating Graham-Lee Society Hall/repositories/5/archival_objects/292781916155Correspondence/repositories/5/archival_objects/292791924-1925, 1930156Treasurer's Reports/repositories/5/archival_objects/292801906-1926157Canceled Checks/repositories/5/archival_objects/292811913-1931158Financial Papers/repositories/5/archival_objects/292821915-1926, undated159