Dialectic Society of the University ofNorth Carolina Records, 1795-1964

ArchivalResource

Dialectic Society of the University of North Carolina Records, 1795-1964

Dialectic Society of the University ofNorth Carolina Records, 1795-1964

1795-1964

https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/40152/

The Dialectic Society was the first oftwo literary societies formed in 1795, the year the University of North Carolinaopened. Throughout the nineteenth century, nearly all students were members of oneof these societies. Students from the eastern portion of the state tended to belongto the Philanthropic Society and those from the western portion to the DialecticSociety. The societies provided literary and oratorical training, and exercised manyof the functions of student government. They also acquired books and developedextensive libraries. In 1886, the societies merged their libraries into theuniversity library. Records of the Dialectic Society include minutes,inaugural addresses of society presidents, commencement addresses, debates, billsand resolutions, correspondence, committee records, treasurer's records, membershiprecords, the constitution and bylaws, library catalogs and circulation records, andpublicity records. Correspondence concerns requests for portraits, library bookorders, invitations to deliver addresses, and financial matters. Committee recordsinclude records of the building, catalog, Confederate repository and records, dance,debate, executive, library, membership, portraits, properties, publicity, radio,renovations, room, query, ways and means, and special committees.

36.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 2000 items)

eng, Latn

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. University Archives and Records Service