Eastpark is located in the Maryhill area of Glasgow, in the northwest of the city. The information on this society comes from a brochure advertising an upcoming opening talk. This is inserted into a press cuttings book (see below for reference). The lecture, entitled, ‘The Art of Forgetting’, was given by John Adams, Esq., M.A., B.Sc., Rector of the United Free Church Training College. It was held at 8pm at the Eastpark United Free Church, Gower Street, North Kelvinside, on Monday, 28 October 1901.

On the back of the brochure is an advertisement for the Eastpark Literary Association, which was then recently revived. Members of this group were to be formed of young men and women of the congregation of Eastpark United Free Church, with membership open to the young people in the district. The subscription fee was one shilling and six pence, which was cheaper than other societies at this time. Meetings were held in the church hall every other Monday in the evening. In addition to monthly lectures, they planned ‘to have a number of debates and musical evenings’.

Date of Existence

1898?-?

Source of Information

(Loose flyer advertisement for lecture, in presscuttings book between p. 94 and p. 95 (Lord Provost’s Office, Records of Public Events in Glasgow, Presscutting Book, General (Y.M.C.A. and other clubs, etc.) 15 Sep. 1898-4 Oct. 1901))

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

G2/3/7

Additional Notes

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There is not a great deal currently known about this society. The Glasgow Post Office directory offers a list of office bearers in 1854 (these are also given in the newspaper articles listed below), while the articles in the Glasgow Citizen and Glasgow Herald report on the annual dinners and annual elections. However, from these, it appears that this group’s members were middle-class, Evangelical Dissenters. The Honorary Patron of the society was the Scottish poet, Thomas Campbell.

Date of Existence

February 1838-1846?

Source of Information

1. ‘Eclectic Literary’, ‘Educational and Scientific Institutions’, Glasgow Post-Office Annual Directory for 1854-1855… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1854), p. 132;

2. ‘Eclectic Literary Society’, Glasgow Citizen, 10 February 1844, p. 2;

3. ‘Eclectic Literary Society’, Glasgow Herald, 12 February 1844, p. 4;

4. ‘Eclectic Literary Society’, Glasgow Herald, 9 February 1846, p. 4;

5. ‘Eclectic Literary Society’, Glasgow Herald, 4 May 1846, p. 4;

6. (Also numerous newspaper articles: see The British Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/)

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

The Glasgow Post Office directories are available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland. Digitised copies are available through the NLS website: https://www.nls.uk/family-history/directories/post-office/index.cfm?place=Glasgow

The Glasgow Citizen and Glasgow Herald is available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland in both hard copy and microfilm (check libraries for availability in both formats). Digitised issues are also available through the British Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

This group belonged to the Eglinton Congregational Church, which was located on 341 Eglinton Street, south of the River Clyde, in the Laurieston area. (For more information on this area, see ‘Gorbals, Glasgow. Laurieston Guide‘ on the ScotCities website). Designed by John Burnet, work was completed on the church in 1866 (for more information on Burnet, see ‘John Burnet (architect)‘ on Wikipedia). The building was demolished only in 2000.

Along with a list of office bearers, the Glasgow Post Office directory provides some basic information on this group:

‘The Association meets every Thursday evening during the session (October to April) at 8.15, in the Hall of Eglington Street Congregational Chapel.’

(‘Eglinton Young Men’s Literary Association’, ‘Literary and Scientific Societies, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1867, 1868… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1867), p. 102)

Date of Existence

1867?-?

Source of Information

‘Eglinton Young Men’s Literary Association’, ‘Literary and Scientific Societies, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1867, 1868… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1867), p. 102

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

The Glasgow Post Office directories are available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland. Digitised copies are available through the NLS website: https://www.nls.uk/family-history/directories/post-office/index.cfm?place=Glasgow