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 National Home Reading Union was formed in 1889 by John Brown Paton, and was based on the popular Chautauqua movement in North America. Its object was to provide a guided reading programme for all classes, but particularly artisans and young people. (For more information on the history of the National Home Reading Union, see Robert Snape, ‘The National Home Reading Union’, Journal of Victorian Culture, 7 (2002), 86-110).

Oatlands is an area in the south side of Glasgow and is part of the Gorbals. (For more information on this area, see the entry for ‘Gorbals, Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website). Oatlands Public School was located on Caledonia Road.

According to the prospectus for this school, in addition to the ‘Evening Classes for Lads, Girls, Young Men and Women’, also on offer were ‘Commercial Classes’, which included a class in English literature. This class was to be a branch of the National Home Reading Union.

Date of Existence

1908-?

Source of Information

Departmental Records; Further Education; Evening Classes, Continuation Classes and Further Education; Prospectuses 1908-1909

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

D-ED 6/2/2

Additional Notes

–

Camden Street Public School was located on Florence Street, which is located just south of the River Clyde in the Gorbals area. (For more information on this school, see ‘Ballater Occupational Centre‘ on The Glasgow Story website. For information on the Gorbals, see ‘Gorbals, Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website).

In the School Board of Glasgow’s 1907-1908 prospectus for its evening continuation classes for boys and girls as well as young men and women, a Reading Circle was advertised. The class was to use ‘cheap editions of popular educational works in Romance, Travel, Biography’, and was to be connected with the National Home Reading Union.

The National Home Reading Union was formed in 1889 by John Brown Paton, and was based on the popular Chautauqua movement in North America. Its object was to provide a guided reading programme for all classes, but particularly artisans and young people. (For more information on the history of the National Home Reading Union, see Robert Snape, ‘The National Home Reading Union’, Journal of Victorian Culture, 7 (2002), 86-110).

It is currently unknown how many young men and women did attend the course or what works they read.

Date of Existence

1907-1908?

Source of Information

Departmental Records; Further Education; Evening Classes, Continuation Classes and Further Education; Prospectuses 1907-08, 1908-09

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

D-ED 6/2/1; D-ED 2/2/2

Additional Notes

See also Reading Circle (associated with Napiershall Public School).

Napiershall Public School was located on Napiershall Street, off Great Western Road in the Woodside area in the West End of Glasgow. (For more information about this school, see ‘Napiershall School‘, ‘Napiershall Street School‘, and ‘Napiershall Street Public School‘ on The Glasgow Story website. For more information about the Woodside area, see ‘Glasgow’s West End. Woodside & Firhill‘, on the ScotCities website.)

The School Board of Glasgow’s prospectus for its continuation classes announced the commencement of basic and advanced commercial and science classes in September 1907 for boys and girls, and well as young men and women. In addition, there was to be a special class just for girls and young women: a free reading circle was being started wherein they would read and discuss ‘interesting books’, the aim being to make reading ‘pleasant and profitable’.

It is currently unknown how many women and girls attended this reading circle or what they read.

Date of Existence

1907-?

Source of Information

Departmental Records; Further Education; Evening Classes, Continuation Classes and Further Education; Prospectuses 1907-1908

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

D-ED 6/2/1

Additional Notes

See also Reading Circle (associated with Camden Street Public School).