Delaware College. Pestalozzi Literary Society.

In 1876, a group of nine female students founded the Pestalozzi Literary Society, named in honor of the famous Swiss educational reformer. Their society was organized along the lines of two male societies, the Athenaean and Delta Phi, both of which had been features of student life at Delaware College since the 1830s. The new society's purpose was to encourage literary pursuits and companionship.

From the description of Pestalozzi Literary Society, Delaware College, Newark, Delaware, 1876 November 10--1886 January. (University of Delaware Library). WorldCat record id: 489267851

The Pestalozzi Literary Society was founded in 1876 at Delaware College (Newark, Delaware) by nine female students and named in honor of a Swiss educational reformer. The organization was similar to two male societies at Delaware College, the Athenaean and Delta Phi. The society's purpose was to "encourage literary pursuits and companionship."

The society met weeky and required members "to write poems, short stories, and essays to be read at their meetings, and they debated such issues as, 'Resolved: That the Native savage possesses a right to the soil' and 'Resolved: Women should be allowed to vote'." The society established a monthly magazine in 1881, with the intention that it become the "best monthly published in America." After failing to come to a consensus regarding the publication's name, they made the decision to call it No Name .

Hoffecker, Carol E. 1994. Beneath thy guiding hand: a history of women at the University of Delaware. Newark, Del: University of Delaware.

From the guide to the Pestalozzi Literary Society, Delaware College, Newark, Delaware, 1876 November 10–1886 January, (University of Delaware Library - Special Collections)