Emerson Literary Society
Encyclopedia
The Emerson Literary Society (ELS) is a co-ed, non-exclusive social society at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York
.
Since 1882, ELS has operated on the Hamilton campus. From 1884-1995, the society operated a residence, open to all members. Since the closing of the house in 1995, ELS has maintained a presence at Hamilton, hosting social events and presenting public programs.
Six weeks before Ralph Waldo Emerson
's death, a group of Hamilton students honored his life's work by founding a non-secretive society based on his American philosophy. At first a fraternity
(Hamilton College would not admit women for nearly 100 years), the fledgling organization sold stock certificates to build a house off the campus of the college in 1884.
The profits from the sale of the house to the College were used to establish a board of trustees to manage the group's finances, as well as a yearly student scholarship and research grant. In 2004, the Emerson Literary Society began its "Tell Me What You Know" lecture series, which brings diverse speakers and points of view to the campus. In the past, NASA
scientists, Hawaii
an historians, graphic novel
ists, experts in Japanese tea ceremony
, spoken word
artists, and ultimate fighters have been speakers. ELS also sponsors many social events, such as the annual Smokin' Word and cabaret
open mic nights and Rocky Horror Picture Show party. Even without a house, the Emerson Literary Society continues its tradition of forward thought and welcoming community.
Clinton, Oneida County, New York
Clinton is a village in Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census. It was named for George Clinton, a royal governor of the colony of New York....
.
Since 1882, ELS has operated on the Hamilton campus. From 1884-1995, the society operated a residence, open to all members. Since the closing of the house in 1995, ELS has maintained a presence at Hamilton, hosting social events and presenting public programs.
Early history
The society was founded in 1882, making it one of the oldest private societies on the Hamilton College campus. It was the first society to become co-educational when the College admitted women, and remains one of only two co-ed social societies on the campus.Six weeks before Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet, who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century...
's death, a group of Hamilton students honored his life's work by founding a non-secretive society based on his American philosophy. At first a fraternity
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
(Hamilton College would not admit women for nearly 100 years), the fledgling organization sold stock certificates to build a house off the campus of the college in 1884.
Later History
Over the years, the house changed with the times and adapted Emerson's words into a modern context through practical application. Over 2,000 graduates of the small liberal arts college have associated themselves with the Emerson Literary Society in the 120 years that followed. In 1995, Emerson Hall and all other private society houses were closed by the College's Board of Trustees due to increasing pressure to decrease the role of private societies on the campus.The profits from the sale of the house to the College were used to establish a board of trustees to manage the group's finances, as well as a yearly student scholarship and research grant. In 2004, the Emerson Literary Society began its "Tell Me What You Know" lecture series, which brings diverse speakers and points of view to the campus. In the past, NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
scientists, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
an historians, graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
ists, experts in Japanese tea ceremony
Japanese tea ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. In Japanese, it is called . The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called...
, spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
artists, and ultimate fighters have been speakers. ELS also sponsors many social events, such as the annual Smokin' Word and cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
open mic nights and Rocky Horror Picture Show party. Even without a house, the Emerson Literary Society continues its tradition of forward thought and welcoming community.