Literary Debating Society

Overview

The information that we have on this society comes from the magazine that was produced by the group members (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). In the three issues that were produced, there is no mention of how often the group met, where they held their meetings, nor how many members it had, but we do know that it was exclusively composed of young men.

According to the preface of the December 1846 issue, the society’s object (i.e. the purpose for meeting) was its members’ intellectual improvement, which was to be facilitated through a series of organised debates. On the last page of the January 1846 issue, there is a list of the society’s debates that were to be held that month.

Date of Existence

1845?-1846?

Source of Information

The Literary Magazine, ed. by members of the Literary Debating Society, No. 1 (Glasgow: Printed by George Richardson, 1845); The Literary Magazine, ed. by members of the Literary Debating Society, Dec. 1845-Feb. 1846 (Glasgow: George Richardson 1846)

Repository

University of Glasgow Special Collections

Reference Number

Sp Coll Mu1-d.13; Sp Coll RB 3049

[Note: the University of Glasgow Special Collections holds two copies]

Additional Notes

From the University of Glasgow online catalogue: ‘Library holds: No. 1-3, 1 Dec. 1845-13 Feb. 1846. Copy at Mu1-d.13 has front and back covers of no.1 & 2, and front cover of no. 3, bound in. Copy at RB 3049 is item 1 of 5 bound together’ [accessed 31 January 2018].

See also entry for The Literary Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.