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 nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University 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.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
[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 nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University 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.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
