These records of the Leazar Literary Society at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later North Carolina State University) contain information about the society's creation, leadership, and activities in the form of minutes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and program announcements. A few items provide historical background on the Pullen Literary Society also.
The Leazar Literary Society was organized on November 2, 1889, at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later North Carolina State University). Its rival in debates and other intellectual competitions was the Pullen Literary Society, which was founded around the same time. Both the Leazar and Pullen societies appear to have been active through the 1931-1932 school year.
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.
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.
Files are arranged chronologically, where possible.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], North Carolina State University, Student and Other Organizations, Leazar Literary Society Records, UA 021.474, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Transferred by the Leazar Literary Society and the Division of Student Affairs, North Carolina State University.
Processed by Lea Walker, 2008
Encoded by Lea Walker, 2008
Photocopies
This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.
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[Identification of item], North Carolina State University, Student and Other Organizations, Leazar Literary Society Records, UA 021.474, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.