The Forthian Club, a social, intellectual and philanthropic organization, was founded by Emma Whitcomb in 1899 and closed in 1979. Its object was "to combine intellectual progress and social life." One meeting a year was devoted to each of the following: household economy, art, music, current events, history and literature. Other events were purely social or raised money for charity. A student loan fund, later combined with the scholarship fund, offered scholarships of $200 to promising seniors from Somerville High School. The Forthian Club was affiliated with the Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs (1899) and the General Federation of Women's Clubs (1900).
From the guide to the Records, 1889-1979, (Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute)
