Govanhill is an area in the south side of Glasgow, and north of Queen’s Park. (For more information about this area, see the entry for ‘Govanhill‘ on Wikipedia.) It is currently unknown if this association was attached to one of the local churches (which is quite likely) or was an independent group.

There is little currently known about this society. The only evidence we have comes from the syllabus of another literary group, the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, which lists the date on which the Govanhill Literary Association was scheduled to participate in a joint debate with them (see below).

Date of Existence

1889?-?

Source of Information

(Listed as having a joint debate with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute on 14 February 1889: ‘Syllabus’, 1888-1889, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1471/45

Additional Notes

See also Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UK Church Literary Institute, with whom they had a joint debate in 1889.

The Glasgow Post Office directory for 1906-1907 provides a list of this society’s objects, its membership requirements, along with its subscription fees:

‘[…] The objects of the Society are: — The cultivation of the Gaelic Language; the cultivation and development of Celtic Philology, Literature, and Music; the elucidation of Celtic antiquities; and the fostering of a Celtic spirit among the Highlanders of Glasgow. Persons of Celtic extraction, or such as take an interest in its objects, are eligible to become members. The Subscriptions of Members to the Funds of the Society are: — Life Members, one payment of £1 1s.; Honorary Members, annually, Ladies 3s., Gentlemen 7s. 6d; Ordinary Members, annually — Ladies 1s., Gentlemen 2s. The Society meets in the Religious Institution Rooms, Buchanan Street, on the last Tuesday of each Month, from October to April.’

(‘Gaelic Society of Glasgow’, ‘Educational Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1906-1907… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1906), p. 171)

At meetings, papers were read on various subjects, but all of these were linked to Gaelic, Celtic or Highland life and culture, which included  literature that was often read aloud. For example, at the meeting held on 31 January 1888, one or two excepts from “Caraid nan Gael” (Norman Macleod (Caraid nan Gaidheal?)) were read.

Date of Existence

26 October 1887-1974?

Source of Information

1. Gaelic Society of Glasgow, Cash Book, 1888-1935 (1 vol.); Minute Books, 1887-1909, 1924-48, 1948-74 (3 vols.) (MLSC, 891237);

2. Gaelic Society of Glasgow, Transactions, 1887-1894; 1956/7 (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 941.15006041443 GAE 155056);

3. Gaelic Society of Glasgow, Jubilee brochure, 1887-1937 (1937) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 367 767302);

4. Maclean, Magnus, Skye bards: paper read before the Gaelic Society of Glasgow (1892) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 200826);

5. ‘Gaelic Society of Glasgow’, ‘Educational Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1906-1907… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1906), p. 171;

6.  Gaelic Society of Glasgow, Centenary brochure, [1987](MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 941.15006041443 GAE)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

–

The information on this society comes from two issues of The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine. The May 7th issue for 1825 provides a good overview of this group:

‘The Gas Workmen’s Institution. – Out of these public associations has arisen one upon a more confined but most useful plan, applicable to every large manufactory. The Gas Light Company’s men, between 60 and 70 in number, have formed themselves, on the suggestion of Mr. J. Neilson the manager, into a society for mutual instruction; laying by a small sum monthly, they have collected about 300 volumes, and the Company giving them a library room, which they light and heat, the men meet every other evening, to converse upon literary and scientific subjects, and once a week to lecture; any one who chooses, giving a fortnight’s notice that he will treat on some subject which he has been studying. The books are of all kinds, with the exception of theology, which, from the various sects the men belong to, is of necessity excluded […]’.

(‘History of Mechanics’ Institutions. Glasgow. The Gas Workmen’s Institution’, The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine; and Annals of Philosophy, Vol. III, No. LXXII, 7 May 1825, pp. 216-7)

Date of Existence

1825-?

Source of Information

1.‘History of Mechanics’ Institutions. Glasgow. The Gas Workmen’s Institution’, The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine; and Annals of Philosophy, Vol. III, No. LXXII, 7 May 1825, pp. 216-7;

2. ‘Glasgow Gas Workman’s Institution. Re-opened for the Season. Introductory Address’, The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine; and Annals of Philosophy, Vol. IV, No. XCVII, 29 October 1825, pp. 169-72

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 19 GLA 52873

Additional Notes

See also University Printing Office Literary & Scientific Institution. The staff at the University Printing Office of the University of Glasgow followed the model set by the Gas Workmen’s Institution (1825-?) in setting up their own institution.

For full holdings of The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine, apply to staff at Mitchell Library Special Collections.

Alexander Smith (1829-1867) was a well-known working-class Scottish poet, and was one of the founding members and Secretary of this society. (For more information on Smith, see, for example, ‘Alexander Smith (1829 – 1867)‘ on the Scottish Poetry Library website.) Named after Joseph Addison (1672-1719), co-founder of the influential magazine, The Spectator, this mutual improvement group consisted of approximately a dozen young men who met on Saturday evenings in a coffee house in Candleriggs (in Merchant City, in the heart of the city centre).

Date of Existence

22 May 1847-1852

Source of Information

1. Glasgow Addisonian Literary Society, Minute Book (Note: currently unknown if this is still housed at Dick Institute, Kilmarnock (20/09/17));

2. Brisbane, T., The Early Years of Alexander Smith, Poet and Essayist. A Study for Young Men, Chiefly Reminiscences of Ten Years’ Companionship (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1869) (ML, Mitchell (GC) 821.8 SMI 9/BRI 31794);

3. Kilpatrick, James A., Literary Landmarks of Glasgow (Glasgow: Saint Mungo Press, 1893), p. 248 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) KIL);

4. Berry, Simon, Applauding Thunder: Life, Work and Critics of Alexander Smith (Inverness: FTTR Press, 2013), [passim] (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 821.8 SMI 9/BER);

5. ‘Alexander Smith (poet)’, Wikipedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Smith_(poet)> [accessed 20/08/17];

6. (Note: several newspaper clippings throughout Young’s Scrapbooks (various volumes, e.g. Vol. 12, pp. 4-5; Vol. 14, p. 13-15) on Smith (MLSC)

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Dick Institute, Kilmarnock

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

–

This club was made up of several local and regional Burns clubs: in 1908, one year after its founding, there were 23 clubs, and the group grew to include 40 clubs by 1914. It met at various venues across Glasgow including the National Burns Club (93 Douglas Street), the Trades House Restaurant (89 Glassford Street), the Christian Institute (Bothwell Street), and the Religious Institution Rooms (200 Buchanan Street). Meetings were held intermittently during the year. The 1911 Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory published the group’s objects under its ‘Special features of Club’:

‘To further the interests of the Burns cult by promoting closer union between the Clubs in the district and bringing the members of these Clubs into more harmonious relationship, and to take the initiative in instituting and recommending movements likely to be beneficial to the cult.’

(‘No. 169 — GLASGOW AND DISTRICT Association of Burns Clubs and Kindred Societies’, ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 176)

Date of Existence

8 November 1907-1919? Federated 1908

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 179;

2. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 190;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 176;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 180;

5. Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 12 September 1912-30 April 1919 (MLSC, 891709);

6. Macmillan, Donald, Burns and the war: his message to the nation: an address delivered before the Glasgow and District Burns Association (Glasgow and District Burns Association, [1917]) (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 6 MCM 557275);

7. McArthur, Archie McArthur, Some Connections Between the City of Glasgow and Robert Burns, compiled by Archie McArthur ([Glasgow and District Burns Association], [1989]) (MLSC, Robert Burns Collection, Mitchell (AL) 11 GLA MCA 907616);

8. ‘Glasgow and District Association of Burns Clubs’, Jean Armour Burns Trust <http://www.jeanarmourburnstrust.co.uk/GlasgowandDistrict.html> [accessed 27/01/18]

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

(For Mitchell Library Special Collections materials, see Source of Information; for Annual Burns Chronicle, see below)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

‘BC‘ refers to the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, which was published yearly since 1892. Hard copies are available at the Mitchell Library Special Collections and the National Library of Scotland. Many of them have been digitised and are available through the Robert Burns World Federation website: http://www.rbwf.org.uk/digitised-chronicles/.

This list of Burns chronicles as sources of information gives the first year the club was included in the chronicle, and thereafter only for the years where the information is different from the previous year’s listing. In keeping with the scope of this study (1800-1914), only the chronicles published between 1892 and 1914 are included.

There is little information currently known about this club. The details that we have come from the Glasgow Post Office directory, which lists the society’s patron, Office Bearers, object and subscription fee:

‘[…] Patron, His Grace Archbishop Eyre, LL.D. Office-bearers for 1899-1900 — President, M. J. Connell, B.A., LL.B.; vice-president, Mr. James W. Turnbull; treasurer, Mr. M.A. Boyle, secretaries, Messrs. E. Henry, 3 Roslea Drive, Dennistoun, and Arthur Meehan, St. Mungo’s Academy, Townhead, Glasgow. The Association is established for the purpose of promoting a series of lectures annually, and thereby furthering a knowledge of Catholic and general literature; for the intellectual advancement of its members; and for the better cultivation socialof [sic] intercourse amongst Catholics. The course of lectures lasts from October until April each year, meeting weekly. During the summer occasional visits are made to localities of archaeological and historical interest. The Annual Subscription is 2s. 6d.’

(‘Glasgow and West of Scotland Catholic Literary Association’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1899-1900… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1899), p. 174)

Date of Existence

1890-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow and West of Scotland Catholic Literary Association’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1899-1900… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1899), p. 174

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

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

Arbroath is a town in Angus, and is northeast of Dundee. (For more information on the town, see ‘Arbroath‘ on Undiscovered Scotland website.) This society is a type of nineteenth-century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

There is little information currently known about this group. The details that we have come from the Glasgow Post Office directory, which lists its objects, patrons and Office Bearers:

‘The objects of this Association are — To assist natives of Arbroath in obtaining lodgings or situations in Glasgow; to relieve temporarily, by pecuniary or other aid, deserving and necessitous Arbroathians, resident in or passing through Glasgow; to promote the intellectual improvement of the members, and to cultivate social and friendly intercourse, by literary and other meetings. Patrons — D. Corsar, Esq., J.P., The Elms, Arbroath; John Tullis, Esq., Inchcape, Dennistoun. Hon. Presidents — J. Wylie Guild, Esq., C.A.; J. Stephen, Esq., Wm. Jolly, Esq., F.R.S.E., F.G.S., D. S. Salmond, Esq., J. M. M’Bain, Esq. Hon Secretary — Thos. Mason. President — J. Winton Mackie. Vice-presidents — A. W. Anderson and W. R. Calder. Directors — J. L. Brewster, James Burnett, H. Croall, W. M. Brown, D. Knowles, Arthur Hovell, J. Carragher, H. M’Bain, D. P. Taylor, Jas. R M. Smith, John A. Peebles, David Simpson. Treasurer — G. B. Croall. Secretary — G.D. Ferguson, 10 Mauldslie Pl., Partick.’

(‘Glasgow Arbroath Association’, ‘Religious and Friendly Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1886-1887…(Glasgow: William MacKenzie, 1886), p. 110)

Date of Existence

1877-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Arbroath Association’, ‘Religious and Friendly Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1886-1887…(Glasgow: William MacKenzie, 1886), p. 110

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

Modeled on the Manchester Athenaeum, the Glasgow Athenaeum was founded in 1847 as a literary an scientific institution. (For more information about this organisation, see ‘Athenaeum opening‘ on The Glasgow Story website, and ‘Administrative / Biographical History‘  for the ‘Records of the Glasgow Athenaeum Commercial College / Glasgow and West of Scotland Commercial College / Scottish College of Commerce’ on the Archives Hub website, which includes details of the records which are part of holdings of the University of Strathclyde Archives.)

There is little information currently known about this society. The details that we have come from the Glasgow Post Office directory, which lists its office bearers, club object, the frequency of its meetings, and an overview of its activities:

‘ […] Hon. president, C.A. Chardenal; hon. vice-president, Timothy Bost; president, Georges Emile Barbier; vice-president, Jas S. Docherty; minute secretary, R. D. Maclean; corresponding secretary and treasurer, John Newlands, 93 Candleriggs. The object of this club is to encourage the study of the French language and literature, and to promote fluency of speech in French among its members. Meetings are held weekly from September to March, in the Athenaeum buildings, at which papers are read and criticised.’

(‘Glasgow Athenaeum French Literary Club’, ‘Educational Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1888-1889… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1888), p. 126)

Date of Existence

1888?-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Athenaeum French Literary Club’, ‘Educational Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1888-1889… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1888), p. 126

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 founder and first President of this club was William Freeland, who served from 1876 to 1903. There were 11 original members.

The Glasgow Post Office directory for 1902-1903 gives a good overview of this club and its activities:

‘[…] The club meets during the session (October to May) in the North British Station Hotel, George Square, on the second Saturday of each month, at eight o’clock p.m. Object — The production and friendly criticism of original ballads and poems, and the study of ballads and ballad literature.’

(‘Glasgow Ballad Club’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1902-1903… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1902), p. 177)

Date of Existence

11 November 1876-10 October 1987

Source of Information

1. (Newspaper clipping) ‘The Looker-on’, (annotated:) ‘Evening News. 1 May 1899.’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks Vol. 2, p. 90; Glasgow Scrapbooks, Vol. 2, pp. 38-39);

2. (Newspaper clipping:) G.E.T. [George Eyre-Todd], ‘Glasgow Ballad Club’, (annotated:) ‘The Scots Pictorial. 15 Jany. 1902. Geo. Eyre-Todd’) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks Vol. 6, pp. 39-40);

3. ‘Glasgow Ballad Club’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1902-1903… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1902), p. 177;

4. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘The Late Robert Ford. Poet and Humorist’, (annotated:) ‘Weekly Herald. 4 Nov. 1905’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 12, p. 5);

5. (Newspaper clipping:) (Death of Robert Ford), (annotated:) ‘Herald. 4 Nov 1905. See pp. 80.81. Vol. 9’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 12, pp. 5-6);

6. (Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Third Volume of Glasgow Ballad Club in the Press […] Herald. 11 Jany. 1908’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 18, p. 20);

7.(Newspaper clipping:) ‘Glasgow Ballad Club. Presentation to Mr Johnston’, (annotated:) ‘Herald. 19 Jany. 1914’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 37, pp. 24-5);

8. (Photograph, annotated:) ‘William Freeland. Poet and Journalist’ (founder of Ballad Club) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 39, p. 74);

9. Hammerton, John Alexander, Literary Glasgow, Past and Present (London: 1904), pp. 638-39; pp.728-31 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 820.9 230247);

10. Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century (Glasgow: The Photo-Biographical Publishing Co., [1901]), p. 186 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 920.04 GLA499009)

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Willliam Young (whose Scrapbooks the Mitchell Library Special Collections holds) was a member of the Glasgow Ballad Club and The Thirteen Club, along with several other societies not considered in this project.

Alexander Lamont (head-master of one of the local schools in the 1880s at least, and published author) was a member of this club, as well as the Wellpark Free Church Literary Society, and the Sir Walter Scott Club.

This society is a type of nineteenth-century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

The details that we have about this society come from a magazine that was produced by its members in manuscript (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). From this, we know that the society was associated with the Glasgow Border Counties Association. The President was D. Paton, Vice-President was D. Moffat, and Secretary was R. W. Carrie. The Editor of the magazine was John Wallace.

The ‘Editorial’ for the volume sets out the society’s objects, which were to provide a place where Borderers could meet and discuss ideas — with the implication that this would lead to ‘improvement’ — and to share their memories for their former homes.

Date of Existence

1885-1887?

Source of Information

Glasgow Border Counties’ Literary Society’s Manuscript Magazine, 1885-87

Repository

Scottish Borders Archive and Local History Centre, Heritage Hub, Hawick

Reference Number

GB1097/SC/M/28

Additional Notes

Volumes I and II are bound together.

See also entry for Glasgow Border Counties’ Literary Society’s Manuscript Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.