Leazar Literary Society Records, 1889-1979 (bulk 1889-1911)

Descriptive Summary

Repository: North Carolina State University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center
Creator: Leazar Literary Society
Title: Leazar Literary Society Records, 1889-1979 (bulk 1889-1911)
Call Number: UA 021.474
Extent: 0.5 linear feet, 1 box
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.
Language of Material: English

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access: This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information: Transferred by the Leazar Literary Society and the Division of Student Affairs
Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], Leazar Literary Society Records, UA 021.474, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Copyright Notice: The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Historical Note

The Leazar Literary Society was organized on November 2, 1889, just one month after the opening of the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later North Carolina State University). The society was named for Augustus Leazar (1843 - 1905). Leazar, a champion of higher education, introduced the bill in the state House of Representatives that led to the creation of the college.

The society's history was linked with the Pullen Literary Society, which was also organized in the fall of 1889. Invitations and programs show that members of the two societies competed against each other frequently. Categories included orations, declamations, essays, and debates.

By 1903, the Leazar Literary Society had grown to 250-300 students, divided into fourteen sections. Its alumni members provided an endowment, as well as gifts of medals and trophies for contests. The society maintained its own library, which received books donated by members. The motto of the Leazar Literary Society was labor omnia vincit (labor conquers all). Both the Leazar and Pullen societies appear to have been active through the 1931-1932 school year.

Scope and Content Note

The collection contains the constitution, critics' reports, work plans, correspondence,and minutes of the earliest meetings of the Leazar Literary Society, a literary and debating society at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later North Carolina State University). Reference materials such as newspaper clippings, yearbook entries, and photocopies of program announcements are included. A few items provide historical background on the Pullen Literary Society also.

Organization of the Collection

Files are arranged chronologically, where possible.

Online Catalog Terms

The following terms have been used to index the guide to the collection in the NCSU Library's online catalog.

Corporate Entities

North Carolina State University--Students--History
Leazar Literary Society

Subject Terms

College students--North Carolina--Societies, etc.
Debates and debating--North Carolina
Literature--Societies, etc.
Student activities--North Carolina--History

Related Material

Trophy Memorabilia Collection, UA 020.004

Detailed Description of the Collection

Minutes, Constitution, and Initiation Procedure, 1889-1891 [UA 021.474 Box 1, Folder 1]
Critic's Report, Vol. II, 1894-1897 [UA 021.474 Box 1, Folder 2]
Critic's Report, Vol. III, 1897-1902 [UA 021.474 Box 1, Folder 3]
Printed Contest Forms, undated [UA 021.474 Box 1, Folder 4]
Reference File, 1894-1911, 1939, 1979
Photocopies

[UA 021.474 Box 1, Folder 5]
Loose Papers, 1903-1904, 1972, undated [UA 021.474 Box 1, Folder 6]