%xmlchars; ]> ua021.474 Guide to the Leazar Literary Society Records, 1889-1979 (bulk 1889-1911) Processed by: Lea Walker;machine-readable finding aid created by: Lea Walker North Carolina State University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center 2008 Machine-readable finding aid derived from xml authoring program Finding aid written in English. Leazar Literary Society Records, 1889-1979 (bulk 1889-1911) UA 021.474 North Carolina State University Libraries Special Collections Research Center Contact Information: &ncsuaddr; Processed by Lea Walker, 2008 Encoded by Lea Walker, 2008 Descriptive Summary North Carolina State University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center Leazar Literary Society Leazar Literary Society Records, 1889-1979 (bulk 1889-1911) UA 021.474 0.51 box These records contain information about the Leazar Literary 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. 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. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff. 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

Processed by Lea Walker, 2008

Encoded by Lea Walker, 2008

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 11Minutes, Constitution, and Initiation Procedure, 1889-1891 12Critic's Report, Vol. II, 1894-1897 13Critic's Report, Vol. III, 1897-1902 14Printed Contest Forms, undated 15Reference File, 1894-1911, 1939, 1979

Photocopies

16Loose Papers, 1903-1904, 1972, undated