"We, the undersigned, being citizens of the United States, and a majority of us being citizens of the State of New York, and each being of full age, do hereby certify, that on the 11th day of March, 1882, we met together for the purpose of incorporating oursevles in to a society pursuant to the statutes of the State of New York in such case made and provided, and we did, as fara as within us lay the powere, incorporate ourselves into a society, to be and to exist for the purposes, viz ..."

This began the Emerson Literary Society almost 120 years ago in the town of Clinton NY at Hamilton College. With little fanfare, six weeks before Emerson died, a group of student honored his life's work by beginning a non-secretive, non-selective society based on his American philosophy. At first a fraternity, (Hamilton College would not admit women for another 100 years), the fledgling organization sold stock certificates to build a house off the campus of the college in 1884(?).

Over the years, the house changed with times and adapted Emerson's words into a modern context through practical application. Over 2000 graduates of the small liberal arts college associated themselves with the Emerson Literary Society in the 120 years that followed. Sadly in 1995, the house was closed by the College Board of Trustees (o, infinite wisdom!), not because of lack of interest, but because of an increasing pressure to ban privates societies on the Hamilton campus.

Please submit your photos and stories so that we may fully develop this site.

~Waldo

email: waldo at els.org