Overview
The Glasgow Post Office directory for 1887-1888 provides a good summary of this society and its activities. Along with the society’s object — ‘[t]he cultivation of literature, music, elocution, and art generally, by the holding of meetings for the purpose of hearing original lectures and papers, by the holding of high-class concerts, and by exhibitions in art’ — the directory includes a rather extensive list of all its prestigious office bearers including its six vice-presidents, 13 members of council, and all the conveners of its various committees. The listing continues with a description of the group’s membership, and its enrollment procedures are described:
‘The Society has members in all parts of the world, and has upwards of 200 ladies and gentlemen on its roll. The Society consists of Fellows, Members, and Associates. Fellows are those who have distinguished [sic] themselves either in literature or art, and must be duly proposed and seconded by two Fellows, on form to be had from the secretary. Members and Associates are those interested in the objects of the Society. Subscriptions — Fellows, £5 5s. for life, or 10s. 6d. per annum; Members, £4 4s. for life, or 7s. 6d per annum; Associates, 5s. per annum. The Society’s “Calendar,” giving full particulars of the Society, and nomination forms for admission, may be obtained on application to the general secretary, Alf. J. Weyman, F.R.G.S. F.S.L.A, &c.. Bertrohill, by Shettleston, or 70 Bothwell Street.’
(‘Scottish Society of Literature and Art’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1887-1888… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1887), p. 117)
The society’s listing in the 1902 Post Office directory sees the grandiloquent description pared away, and it is currently unclear if this is to be read as a change in its outlook and/or circumstances:
‘The object of the Society is to encourage the study of literature and art, by promoting public lectures, by organising private meetings for the reading of essays and discussion among the members, by publication of its transactions, and by other kindred methods. Members pay an annual subscription of 7s 6d. They may introduce one friend to public lectures and meetings; they receive a copy of all printed matter, and have access to the library. Secretary and treasurer, George Middleton, M.A., LL. B., 83 Bath street, Glasgow.’
(‘The Scottish Society of Literature and Art’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1902-1903… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1902), p. 177)
Date of Existence
1886-?
Source of Information
1. ‘Scottish Society of Literature and Art’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1887-1888… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1887), p. 117;
2. Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century (Glasgow: The Photo-Biographical Publishing Co., [1901]), p. 83 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 920.04 GLA 499009);
3. ‘The Scottish Society of Literature and Art’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1902-1903… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1902), p. 177
Repository
Mitchell Library (ML) (Glasgow Post Office directories, and Glasgow Contemporaries)
National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Glasgow Post Office directories)
Reference Number
(See Source of Information)
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