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Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

In Chapel Hill. 44 dated events, 1795–1966.

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Indexed works

Books, articles, records and pictures in the index about Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, found by its names in titles, catalog subjects and the index’s descriptions, and read one by one. Those held at OCPL come first.

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The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies: virtus, libertas et scientia, 1795

Brigman, Brian · 1988

Brian Brigman's short illustrated pamphlet on the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, the debating societies founded at the University of North Carolina in 1795, with the Latin phrase virtus, libertas et scientia in its subtitle. Published by the societies themselves in Chapel Hill in 1988, eleven unnumbered pages with portraits.

The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies portraits, 1795-1868

Reckford, Joseph K. L. · 1981 · Univ. of NC

Joseph K. L. Reckford's honors essay in American Studies at the University of North Carolina, submitted in 1981, reproduces the portraits acquired between 1795 and 1868 by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, the university's two debating societies, and adds selected biographical data on the sitters. 211 pages with a short bibliography.

"And they talked. Always they talked" : 215 years of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

Cherry, Kevin · 2011 · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Kevin Cherry's lecture on 215 years of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, the student debating societies at the University of North Carolina, delivered on April 7, 2011 in Wilson Library for the Gladys Hall Coates University History Lecture series. Seventeen pages as published online, covering student oratory and society life at Chapel Hill from the 1790s onward.

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The growth of the library of the Philanthropic Society at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 1797-1822

Murphy, Evangeline Burbank, 1947- · 1979 · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Evangeline Burbank Murphy traces the growth of the library built up by the Philanthropic Society at the University of North Carolina between 1797 and 1822, in a thesis the university issued in 1979. Subjects include academic libraries in Chapel Hill and the society and the university library of the 1793 to 1962 period. Seventy three leaves.

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The evolution of the magazine

Willis, Stuart, active 1914 · 1914 · Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies of the University of North Carolina

Stuart Willis traces the history of the North Carolina University Magazine, the student periodical published at Chapel Hill since 1844. His article was detached from the magazine itself in 1914 and printed by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies, which ran it.

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The magazine for fifty years

Thompson, Holland, 1873-1940 · 1894 · Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

Holland Thompson's history of the North Carolina University Magazine at fifty years, written while he was a student of the class of 1895. It ran in the magazine for March and April 1894 and was issued separately at Chapel Hill by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies.

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Show 23 more works

Address Delivered Before The Two Literary Societies Of The University Of North Carolina : February 19Th, 1976

Coates, Albert · 1976 · Published by order of the Philanthropic Society

Albert Coates's response on being honored by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies in joint session at the University of North Carolina on February 19, 1976, printed by order of the Philanthropic Society together with opening remarks from George T. Blackburn II, who led the societies' foundation. Fifteen pages with a portrait. Coates speaks to the history of the two student literary societies that have shaped campus life at Chapel Hill since the 1790s.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Joint Senate of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

North Carolina ECHO (Project) · 2002

Front of New East on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, where the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies' Joint Senate has its home. North Carolina ECHO photograph, 31 May 2002.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Joint Senate of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

North Carolina ECHO (Project) · 2002

North Carolina ECHO photograph of the historical marker for New East, the UNC-Chapel Hill building that is home to the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies. Taken 31 May 2002.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Joint Senate of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

North Carolina ECHO (Project) · 2002

New East at UNC-Chapel Hill, home to the Joint Senate of the Di and Phi, photographed from another angle and in another season than its companion view. Dated 31 May 2002 in the North Carolina ECHO series.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Joint Senate of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

North Carolina ECHO (Project) · 2002

Portrait of Oliver Max Gardner, a 1906 UNC graduate, from the North Carolina ECHO series on the Joint Senate of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies. Gardner, a lawyer and businessman, served as state senator, lieutenant governor and governor of North Carolina. Photographed 31 May 2002.

The Di & Phi portrait index : catalogue of the portraits of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill

Blackburn, George T. · 1980 · Dialectic and Philanthropic Society Foundation

George T. Blackburn's index to the portraits owned by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies, the two student debating societies at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. It lists the sitters and identifies each portrait. Published by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Society Foundation in 1980, 20 pages.

A catalog of the Dialectic Society addresses and debates, held in the Manuscripts Department of Wilson Library, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Nelson, Elizabeth L. · 1996

Elizabeth L. Nelson compiled this 1996 catalog of the addresses and debates of the Dialectic Society, the student society at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as its papers sit in the Manuscripts Department of Wilson Library. Two hundred five leaves listing the society's speeches item by item, with a bibliography on the last leaf.

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The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies' contributions to the library of the University of North Carolina, 1886-1906

York, Maurice C. · 1982

Maurice C. York on what the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies gave to the library of the University of North Carolina between 1886 and 1906, published in 1982 as an article of twenty-seven pages with illustrations and portraits. It traces the history of the two student societies and the university library.

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Books read by members of the Philanthropic Society and their correlation with debate topics, 1828-1832

Parrish, Laura Frances · 1979 · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Laura Frances Parrish sets what members of the Philanthropic Society at the University of North Carolina read between 1828 and 1832 against the topics they debated. Completed in 1979 through the School of Library Science at Chapel Hill and published by the university, it draws on the reading of one of the university's two student debating societies.

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The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies' efforts at library development at the University of North Carolina, 1875-1906

York, Maurice C. · 1977

Maurice C. York traces the part the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, the two student societies at the University of North Carolina, played in developing the university library between 1875 and 1906. Topics include the history of academic libraries in Chapel Hill and the history of both societies. Written in 1977, with a bibliography on leaves 78 to 81.

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Wolfe at the Di Society

Walser, Richard, 1908-1988 · 1977 · C. Goerch

Richard Walser's short article on Thomas Wolfe's years in the Dialectic Society, the student debating body at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Published in Raleigh by C. Goerch in 1977, the copy was detached from The State, volume 46, number 10, of March 1977. Topics include campus debating societies at Chapel Hill and Wolfe himself.

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The birth of a great university library : the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies' endowments at UNC, 1886-1906

York, Maurice C. · 1976 · Maurice Clifton York

Maurice C. York prepared this paper for History 336 in 1976, on how endowments from the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies built up the university library at Chapel Hill between 1886 and 1906. Topics include the history of both societies, of that library, and of academic libraries in Chapel Hill generally. The photocopied typescript is in the North Carolina Collection at UNC.

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An inventory of portraits in oil belonging to the Dialectic and Philanthropic literary societies including remarks on the present location and condition of each painting and biographical notes on their subjects

Blackburn, George T., II · 1973

George T. Blackburn II's inventory, dated May 1973, of the oil portraits belonging to the Dialectic and Philanthropic literary societies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It records the location and condition of each painting, with biographical notes on the sitters, across twenty six unnumbered leaves of typescript. Part of UNC's North Carolina Collection.

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Roger N. Kirkman papers, 1967-1986.

Kirkman, Roger N., 1949- · 1967

Roger N. Kirkman, born 1949, is represented by 2,300 items in 3.5 linear feet covering 1967 to 1986, part of the Southern Historical Collection at UNC, collection 4292.

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Richard Beverly Raney Webb scrapbooks, 1952-1956

Webb, Richard Beverly Raney · 1952

Four scrapbooks kept by Richard Beverly Raney Webb between 1952 and 1956, part of the Southern Historical Collection at UNC, collection 5533. Topics include student life at the University of North Carolina in those years, college societies in the state, the Order of the Grail, and the history of the Dialectic Society at Chapel Hill.

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"Phi Hall," U. N. C., Chapel Hill, N. C.

1905

Interior of Phi Hall at the University of North Carolina, the ornate room where the Philanthropic Society met, on a postcard from 1905. The view takes in the lectern and stage of the society's hall.

Bibliotheca.

Donaldson, James, 1802-1872 · 1852

A hand drawn plan of 1852, in pen and ink with some color, showing the layout of the library of the Philanthropic Society at the north end of Old East on the University of North Carolina campus. Attributed to James Donaldson, 1802 to 1872, but possibly the work of A. J. Davis. In the North Carolina Collection at UNC.

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Thomas Miles Garrett diary, 1849-1850.

Garrett, Thomas Miles, 1830-1864 · 1849

Four items centered on the diary Thomas Miles Garrett (1830-1864) kept in 1849 and 1850, part of the Southern Historical Collection at UNC, collection 1171-z. The papers cover the social and religious life of college students in Chapel Hill, temperance societies in nineteenth century North Carolina, and the university's Philanthropic Society, with material on Cornelia Phillips Spencer, John W. Moore and Joseph Alonzo Manning.

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Chapel Hill Cemetery Marker: photographs (Chapel Hill Historical Society)

Twenty-three undated photographs of grave markers in the Chapel Hill cemetery, among them a Philanthropic Society marker for David Fisher, the grave of Joshua P. Perry, and a marker inscribed 'grave of North Carolina servants'. From the Cemeteries binder of the Chapel Hill Historical Society's Prints and Photographs Collection.

Chapel Hill Cemetery: photographs (Chapel Hill Historical Society)

Six undated photographs in the Chapel Hill cemetery, showing the burial plots of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies and an unidentified marker with trees grown up around it. Part of the Cemeteries binder in the Chapel Hill Historical Society's Prints and Photographs Collection.

Chapel Hill Cemtery Markers: photographs (Chapel Hill Historical Society)

Two undated views in the Chapel Hill cemetery: the Philanthropic Society's burial plot, and the graves of Cornelia Phillips Spencer and Julia Spencer Love. From the Cemeteries binder of the Chapel Hill Historical Society's Prints and Photographs Collection.

Dialectic Society (Di) Hall: photographs (Chapel Hill Historical Society)

Gathering at the hall of the Dialectic Society, the student debating society at the University of North Carolina, of people who may be alumni. Undated, from the UNC Campus binder, Prints and Photographs Collection (CHHS.002).

Student Societies (Chapel Hill Historical Society vertical file)

Newspaper clippings and photocopied articles on student societies at the University of North Carolina, where the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies date from 1795. An undated folder in the Chapel Hill Historical Society's vertical files.

Published by or for it

Catalogue of the members of the Dialectic Society,: instituted in the University of North Carolina, June the third, 1795

University of North Carolina (1793-1962) · 1851

A printed membership roll of the Dialectic Society, one of the two student debating societies at the university in Chapel Hill, founded on June 3, 1795. The 1851 list runs to 25 pages and is accompanied by sketches of the society's history, including Richard H. Lewis on the years 1848 to 1852 and an address by Richard H. Battle on the society between 1850 and 1854.

Catalogue of the Philanthropic Society: instituted in the University of North Carolina, August 1st, 1795

University of North Carolina (1793-1962) · 2005 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

An electronic edition of the printed membership list of the Philanthropic Society, one of the two student debating societies at the University of North Carolina, naming members from the society's founding on August 1, 1795, through 1852. The transcription was produced in 2005 by the University Library at Chapel Hill for Documenting the American South, within its collection on the first century of the university.

Nicholas Hodsdon, the Troubadour : an evening of Elizabethan music : 7:30 pm March 27, 400 New East

1979 · University of North Carolina, Dialectic Society and Philanthropic Society

Poster for a 1979 concert of Elizabethan music by Nicholas Hodsdon, billed as the Troubadour, at 7:30 on March 27 in room 400 New East on the University of North Carolina campus. The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies sponsored the evening. The poster is signed Tracy Sanders and printed in red and green ink on cream paper.

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Gadfly.

1975 · Senate of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies

Student periodical published from 1975 by the Senate of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies at Chapel Hill, describing itself as a critique of University civilization. Issued in a large newspaper format of 58 centimeters with illustrations.

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The white and blue.

1895 · The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

Magazine brought out in Chapel Hill in 1895 by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, the two literary and debating societies of the University of North Carolina. Illustrated volumes at 28 cm.

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Register of members of the Philanthropic Society instituted in the University of North Carolina, August 1st, 1795

University of North Carolina (1793-1962) · 2005

Membership register of the Philanthropic Society, one of the two student debating societies at the university in Chapel Hill, founded on August 1, 1795. Along with the roll of members it prints a list of the faculty, explanatory notes, and rolls of the Confederate dead from both the Philanthropic and the Dialectic Societies. Electronic edition issued 2005 by the UNC University Library for Documenting the American South.

Show 30 more of its own publications

University of North Carolina magazine.

1918

Sixteen volumes of the university magazine issued at Chapel Hill by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies, covering the years 1902 to 1918 with illustrations and portraits.

Representative Contest between the Philanthropic and Dialectic Societies of the University of North Carolina. [1897]

University of North Carolina (1793-1962) · 1897 · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Program for an 1897 representative contest between the Philanthropic and Dialectic societies, the two student societies at the University of North Carolina. DigitalNC's North Carolina Yearbooks collection includes the printed program.

Catalogue of the Members of the Dialectic Society, Instituted in the University of North Carolina, June 3rd, 1795 [1852]

University of North Carolina (1793-1962) · 1852 · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Membership catalogue of the Dialectic Society, the University of North Carolina student society founded on June 3, 1795 according to the title, compiled in 1852. It describes the university curriculum. It sits in DigitalNC's North Carolina Yearbooks collection.

A Catalogue of the Members of the Dialectic Society, Instituted in the University of North Carolina, June the third, 1795 [1841]

University of North Carolina (1793-1962) · 1841 · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

A catalogue of the members of the Dialectic Society, the University of North Carolina debating society instituted on June 3, 1795, printed at Chapel Hill in 1841. Part of DigitalNC's North Carolina Yearbooks collection.

Catalogue of the Philanthropic Society University, Instituted in the University of North Carolina, August 1st, 1795 [1841]

University of North Carolina (1793-1962) · 1841 · University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

A catalogue of the Philanthropic Society, instituted in the University of North Carolina on August 1st, 1795, in this printing of 1841 from Chapel Hill. It is a university curricula catalog and a college publication of Chapel Hill and Orange County. Part of DigitalNC's North Carolina Yearbooks collection.

Carolina magazine.

1948 · Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies of the University of North Carolina

The student literary magazine of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies at Chapel Hill, running to twenty six illustrated volumes. The University of North Carolina Publications Union carried the imprint from December 1923 to October 1948, and the October 1938 number was a Thomas Wolfe commemorative issue.

Yackety yack

1948

The Carolina yearbook for 1948, produced by students at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and edited by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies together with the university fraternities. Volumes with illustrations, plates and portraits, 29 cm.

North Carolina University magazine.

1902

Sixteen volumes of the magazine published under the auspices of the Philanthropic and Dialectic Societies at Chapel Hill, dated 1902. Printing moved around the state, and the imprints name Greensboro in 1884 and 1885, Winston in 1885, Raleigh from 1886 to 1889 and Chapel Hill through the 1890s.

North Carolina University monthly.

1884 · Published under the auspices of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

Two volumes of a Chapel Hill monthly published under the auspices of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies of the University of North Carolina, dated 1884, with imprints from 1883 and 1884. Includes portraits and material on state history.

The University monthly.

1883 · Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies of the University of North Carolina

Three volumes of a Chapel Hill student monthly issued by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies at the University of North Carolina in the early 1880s, with North Carolina imprints from 1882 and 1883.

University magazine.

1878 · Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

A student magazine of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, published by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, the two debating societies that ran much of student literary life. Two volumes with portraits survive, dated 1878. It is a source for state history as well as a student periodical.

Catalogue of the members of the Dialectic Society : instituted in the University of North Carolina, June 3, 1795

University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Dialectic Society; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Documenting the American South (Project); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library · 2005 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

The Dialectic Society's catalogue of members, covering 1795 to 1851, for the debating society instituted at the University of North Carolina on 3 June 1795. It is a name list for anyone tracing antebellum students. The electronic edition belongs to the Documenting the American South collection The First Century of the First State University, with text encoded by Apex Data Services and colleagues at Chapel Hill.

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Catalogue of the members of the Dialectic Society : instituted in the University of North Carolina, June 3, 1795, together with historical sketches

University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Dialectic Society; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Documenting the American South (Project); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library · 2005 · University Library, UNC-Chapel Hill

Membership roll of the Dialectic Society, the debating society instituted at the University of North Carolina in June 1795, naming members from 1795 to 1889 and adding historical sketches. The electronic edition was prepared for Documenting the American South at Chapel Hill, within the collection True and Candid Compositions, with transcription by Apex Data Services and images scanned by Brian Dietz.

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Monitor : newsletter of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies Foundation, Inc.

Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies Foundation · 2005 · Di & Phi Societies Foundation, Inc

Newsletter of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies Foundation, the alumni body behind the two student literary societies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The series begins in 2005. Issued in volumes with illustrations at 29 cm, it carries news of the societies and of their graduates for a campus and alumni readership.

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Handbook of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies : now met in a joint senate : being a guide to the traditions, customs, and activities of the literary societies instituted in the University of North Carolina in 1795 : with illustrations : ad virtutem, libertatem, et scientiamque.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dialectic Society · 2003 · Published by order of the societies and under the direction of a committee of alumni of the societies

A guide to the traditions, customs and activities of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, the literary societies founded at the University of North Carolina in 1795 and now meeting as a joint senate. Kevin Cherry edited the 2003 handbook, issued by order of the societies and directed by a committee of their alumni. One hundred eighty-two leaves with illustrations and portraits, some in color.

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Senate of the Dialectic and Philanthropic literary societies : founded 1795

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dialectic Society · 1985 · Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

A folded four page leaflet issued in 1985 by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies at Chapel Hill, describing the joint Senate of the two student literary societies founded at the University of North Carolina in 1795. Illustrations and portraits accompany the short text.

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The justifier

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Philanthropic Society · 1977

The Philanthropic Society, one of the two old student debating societies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, issued this periodical from 1977. It documents student society activity in the late 1970s. Volumes of 28 cm.

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Dialetic and Philanthropic Societies Foundation records, 1973-2018

Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies Foundation · 1973

Foundation records covering 1973 to 2018, roughly 540 items in one and a half linear feet, University Archives collection 40182 at UNC. The title is entered as 'Dialetic and Philanthropic Societies Foundation records'. Topics include student societies in North Carolina, student activities, and the Dialectic and Philanthropic Joint Senate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Quo vadimus.

1966 · Di-Phi Senate

Student periodical put out by the Di-Phi Senate, the joint body of the Dialectic and Philanthropic societies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with the run recorded from 1966. Published in volumes at 28 cm.

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The Phi speaker

University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Philanthropic Society · 1954 · Philanthropic Assembly

Periodical of the Philanthropic Society, the student debating society at the University of North Carolina, published by the Philanthropic Assembly at Chapel Hill in 1954. The work deals with college student newspapers and periodicals in Chapel Hill and with the university's societies, and the run belongs with the society's own publications rather than with the campus press.

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The New Carolina magazine.

1921 · Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies of the University of North Carolina

A volume of the student magazine published in Chapel Hill in 1921 by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies of the University of North Carolina. Includes illustrations and portraits. 30 centimeters.

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The Magazine, University of North Carolina.

1920 · Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies

Two volumes of a 1920 Chapel Hill student magazine bearing the imprint of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies at the University of North Carolina. Each volume measures 23 centimeters.

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Second-hand books from the libraries of the University of North Carolina and of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies

University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Library; University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Dialectic Society; University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Philanthropic Society · 1897 · University of North Carolina Libraries

A sale list of second hand books from the libraries of the University of North Carolina and of its Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, printed at Chapel Hill in the late 1890s. It gives the books available and their prices. It shows what the university libraries were shedding and what old books fetched.

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Institutions the result of growth : a speech

Eller, Franklin Plato, 1869-1892; University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Dialectic Society · 1892 · Dialectic Society?

An oration Franklin Plato Eller prepared as the Dialectic Society's representative for the University of North Carolina commencement of 1892. A note printed with the text records that his last illness kept him from delivering it and that he died on 15 June, so the speech went to press instead. Published at Chapel Hill under the society's name.

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Catalogue of the members of the Dialectic Society, University of North Carolina : instituted June 3rd, 1795.

University of North Carolina (1793-1962) · 1888 · Thomas Brothers

A membership catalogue of the Dialectic Society at the University of North Carolina, the student debating society instituted on June 3, 1795, printed by Thomas Brothers in 1888 in a third edition of 34 pages. It is a directory of alumni and alumnae at Chapel Hill, so genealogists and campus historians can use it to place students by year of membership.

Rules of order : 1884.

University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Dialectic Society · 1884

Seven pages of parliamentary rules printed for the Dialectic Society, one of the student literary societies at the University of North Carolina, and dated 1884. The pamphlet sets out the order of business the society followed at its meetings. Printed in Chapel Hill around 1884.

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Dialectic and Philanthropic Joint Senate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill records, 1836-2019 (bulk 1959-2010).

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dialectic and Philanthropic Joint Senate · 1836

The Dialectic and Philanthropic Joint Senate at Chapel Hill is documented here from 1836 to 2019, with most material from 1959 to 2010, approximately 7,500 items in 12.5 linear feet, in the University Archives at UNC, collection 40153. The two debating societies and their joint body are represented along with debating in North Carolina, student societies and student activities through the university's history.

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Catalogue of books belonging to the Dialectic Society, Chapel-Hill, February, 1821.

University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Dialectic Society · 1821

A catalogue of the library of the Dialectic Society, one of the two student debating societies at the University of North Carolina, listing the books it owned as of February 1821. Printed at Hillsborough, it records the reading available to students at Chapel Hill in the early years of the university, and it counts among the North Carolina imprints of 1821.

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A catalog of books belonging to the Dialectic Society, at Chapel Hill, May, 1817

University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Dialectic Society · 1817

Catalogue of the books owned by the Dialectic Society at Chapel Hill as of May 1817, printed at Raleigh within an ornamental border. The list records the titles a University of North Carolina student society kept on its shelves.

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A catalogue of books belonging to the Dialectic Society at Chapel Hill, May, 1817

University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Dialectic Society · 1817 · Dialectic Society

Book list of the Dialectic Society at the University of North Carolina, dated May 1817 and printed under the society's own name at Chapel Hill.

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In the chronology

  1. James Mebane serves as the first president of the Dialectic Society Orange County student James Mebane is the first president of the university's Dialectic Society, one of the two student debating societies formed in the university's first year.
  2. Charles Wilson Harris joins the new university as professor of mathematics Harris joined the faculty in March 1795, weeks after the university opened, as professor of mathematics. On June 3, 1795 he organized the students into the debating club that became the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies.
  3. UNC’s Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies take shape UNC students held the first recorded meeting of a Debating Society on June 3, 1795, and voted on July 2 to split in two, the new body being the Concord Society. They took the names Dialectic and Philanthropic in late August 1796 and for over a century served as debating clubs, student government and keepers of large libraries. People: Hinton James, Charles Wilson Harris
  4. The Philanthropic Society adopts rules for marking its members' graves When its minutes resumed in January 1799, after George Clarke's burial, George Long of Halifax County moved that the society honor members buried at Chapel Hill. Three weeks later a committee called for a black-painted oak or poplar railing around each grave with the name, date and society lettered in white, and a black armband worn for three months.
  5. Archibald D. Murphey gives the first commencement-eve oration in Person Hall On June 27, 1827, the day before commencement, Murphey delivered an oration in Person Hall at Chapel Hill under the appointment of the Dialectic Society. Addressing the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, he argued that a college course only prepared the mind for later learning; the speech was printed and reissued in 1843.
  6. Robert Donaldson has A. J. Davis design a campus hall for the Philanthropic Society that is never built In the 1830s alumnus Robert Donaldson, by then living in New York, hired Alexander Jackson Davis to design a hall for the Philanthropic Society on the campus. It was not built, but Donaldson kept up a correspondence with President Swain about gardens, architects and furnishings that led to Davis's later work at Chapel Hill.
  7. William Mercer Green delivers the literary societies' oration before commencement On June 22, 1831, the day before commencement, William Mercer Green delivered an oration at Chapel Hill on the influence of Christianity upon the welfare of nations, under the annual appointment of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies. Dennis Heartt printed it in Hillsborough the same year. People: Dennis Heartt
  8. Dialectic Society prints a catalogue of its library The Dialectic Society's printed catalogue of 1835 listed 2,954 bound volumes and ten maps, the largest groups being novels and romances, periodicals and history. With the Philanthropic library about the same size, the two societies held some 6,000 books.
  9. Philanthropic Society has a cast made of Caldwell's features In November 1835, at the Philanthropic Society's request, Caldwell's body was taken up so that the artist Alfred S. Waugh could make a plaster cast of his face. The bust made from it stands in Gerrard Hall.
  10. Seceders try to form a third literary society, the Delphian Members who had left the Dialectic Society, joined by one from the Philanthropic, asked the trustees on November 29, 1838 to recognize a Delphian Society and give it a third of the society rooms. In January 1839 the trustees found a third society inexpedient, and after a hearing at Chapel Hill and an appeal by Charles Manly the Delphians disbanded.
  11. Fayetteville carver George Lauder makes Lewis Bowen Holt's tomb-table in the Dialectic Society plot The marble tomb-table over Dialectic Society member Lewis Bowen Holt, who died in 1842, carries a carved desert scene of a broken fountain and cistern drawn from Ecclesiastes 12. It is unsigned but matches a signed Lauder stone in Fayetteville's Cross Creek Cemetery.
  12. Trustees outlaw secret societies at the university On Charles L. Hinton's motion the board declared secret societies and clubs harmful to the literary societies and to good morals, ordered the faculty to suppress them and barred admission to any student who would not pledge not to join one. The Dialectic and Philanthropic societies agreed to fine members who broke the rule. People: Charles Lewis Hinton
  13. Trustees tell Swain to ask Robert Donaldson about plans for society halls and a landscape gardener In October 1843 the board directed President Swain to write to Robert Donaldson in New York about how best to get plans for new literary society halls and to find someone skilled in laying out the grounds, and at what price.
  14. Dialectic and Philanthropic societies draw lots for the east and west buildings The trustees had the society presidents, William M. Howerton and Matt W. Ransom, cast lots before Governor Graham, President Swain and Charles Manly; the Philanthropic won the east side and the Dialectic the west, and South Building rooms facing north went to the Phis and those facing south to the Dis. The arrangement lasted until 1868. People: Matt W. Ransom, William A. Graham, David L. Swain
  15. Free Black cabinetmaker Thomas Day supplies woodwork and furniture for the new society halls Thomas Day, the free Black cabinetmaker of Milton, North Carolina, supplied woodwork and furniture for the halls and libraries of the Dialectic and Philanthropic societies in A. J. Davis's north additions to Old East and Old West. Little names him, with the Virginia builder Dabney Cosby, among the craftsmen who carried out Davis's design.
  16. Literary societies move into new halls in the enlarged Old East and Old West The northward extensions of Old East and Old West, designed by A. J. Davis and built by Isaac J. Collier and Kendall B. Waitt for $9,360, were finished in 1848 with debating halls and library alcoves for the two societies. At the Dialectic opening James Mebane, the society's first president in 1795, sat beside the student president, Kemp P. Battle. People: Samuel (Samuel Field) Phillips, Alexander Jackson Davis, Kemp Plummer Battle
  17. The literary societies ask the trustees for a building for dances and alumni meetings The Dialectic and Philanthropic societies petitioned the university trustees to put up a building for dances and alumni gatherings. The request led to Smith Hall, finished in 1850 and later the Playmakers Theatre.
  18. Signed marble obelisks go up in the Dialectic and Philanthropic plots George Lauder signed obelisks for Philanthropic members David White Fisher (died 1850) and Mark Bennett (died 1851) and for Dialectic member John Alexander Smith (died 1855), and the Raleigh firm of Maunder & Campbell signed the obelisk of Joshua P. Perry (died 1856). Signed stones are rare in the cemetery.
  19. Students revive the University Magazine At a student meeting Jeremiah J. Slade moved to re-establish the magazine, and the first number appeared in February 1852 with editors from both literary societies and William D. Cooke of Raleigh as publisher. It ran until June 1861, the societies agreeing in 1859 to cover its deficits. People: Zebulon B. Vance
  20. Shooting during a hazing raid leads the societies to stop hazing In 1853 a new student named Evans, a brother of the South Carolina general, met a hazing party with a cocked pistol and wounded its leader, McRae, in the arm. The two literary societies offered to end hazing if the faculty would not dismiss the offenders, and Battle says the bargain held for years.
  21. Old belfry burns and the college bell is destroyed During a student game of throwing alcohol-soaked fireballs, the old belfry caught fire and burned and its bell was destroyed. The executive committee sent the facts to the Orange solicitor, but no bill went to the grand jury, and the two literary societies agreed to fine any member $25 for wanton damage to university property. People: David L. Swain
  22. New East and New West are built to William Percival's design To house more students, the university built two dormitories with classrooms and debating society halls on either side of Old East and Old West, to designs by the English architect William Percival, with Thomas Coates as contractor. Work began in June 1858, and the faculty announced on July 31, 1861 that the buildings were ready to occupy.
  23. President Andrew Johnson attends commencement Andrew Johnson came to the 1867 commencement with Secretary of State William H. Seward, Postmaster General Alexander Randall and General Daniel E. Sickles, the military governor under the Reconstruction Acts, and recalled passing through Chapel Hill on foot in 1826. Johnson joined the Dialectic Society and Seward the Philanthropic, but a minority of Dialectics blocked Sickles. People: William H (William Henry) Seward, David L. Swain
  24. Dialectic and Philanthropic societies hide their books and papers Believing the societies would not be run under their constitutions after the university changed hands, their last officers gave the Dialectic records to Alexander McIver and the Philanthropic records to William L. Saunders. The property lay safe until the societies revived in 1875. People: Alexander McIver
  25. Walter Steele and Paul Cameron inspect the derelict campus and Solomon Pool refuses to surrender the keys On April 3, 1874, trustees Walter L. Steele and Paul C. Cameron came to Chapel Hill for the new board. Solomon Pool declined their written request for the keys and possession of the buildings, since the governor had not recognized the board, but let them inspect as visitors. Their report to the trustees on April 9 described broken doors and fallen plaster, the lower passage of Old West fouled by cattle and horses, rotted gates and axe-scarred oaks, 7,490 books in the Dialectic library and 6,901 in the Philanthropic, and recommended an immediate suit against Pool for possession. People: Paul C. Cameron, Solomon Pool
  26. The Dialectic and Philanthropic societies meet again On the evening of the reopening celebration the two literary societies were revived, the Dialectic called together by its last secretary, Thomas M. Argo, with Judge William H. Battle as temporary president. William L. Saunders, who had kept the Philanthropic Society's books since its last meeting in 1868, called that society together. People: William Horn Battle
  27. The university begins keeping Washington's Birthday as a holiday The reopened faculty set the precedent of a holiday on February 22, and the literary societies later chose a Washington orator for the day. At the first or second observance Francis D. Winston displayed a battered hatchet he claimed had felled the cherry tree.
  28. William George Randall walks from Burke County to Chapel Hill to enter the university Randall walked to Chapel Hill in the fall of 1880, was interviewed by President Kemp Battle and was helped by the Deems Fund. The Dialectic Society paid him as its librarian, the first year the post carried a salary. People: Kemp Plummer Battle
  29. The literary societies agree to stop hazing The Dialectic and Philanthropic societies adopted a joint rule, under heavy penalty, against entering another student's room against his will, laying hands on him or otherwise annoying him. It held for several years before hazing resumed in disguise.
  30. Election fight splits the Philanthropic Society A quarrel over whether two South Building students could join the Philanthropic Society at the last meeting of a term, in time to swing its election, led some members to secede in 1884, and a split nearly followed in the Dialectic. Professors Winston and Manning could not bring the seceders back. People: John Manning, George Tayloe Winston
  31. The faculty requires most students to join a literary society A faculty law made membership in the Dialectic or Philanthropic Society compulsory for all students except those in medicine, law, graduate and special study, and barred non-members from rooming in university buildings without permission.
  32. James Lee Love becomes University Librarian and secretary of the faculty In the 1886-87 session the mathematics professor James Lee Love took on the posts of librarian and secretary of the faculty, after representing the university in the merger of the literary societies' libraries with its own.
  33. The literary societies merge their libraries with the university's The Philanthropic Society voted almost unanimously and the Dialectic 42 to 30 to join their books to the university library in Smith Hall, to be called the Library of the University of North Carolina endowed by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies and opened every weekday. Borrowing rose from 3,657 books in 1885-86 to 4,761 the next year. People: George Tayloe Winston, James Lee Love
  34. Stephen B. Weeks publishes a register of the Philanthropic Society Stephen Beauregard Weeks, class of 1886, published a 72-page catalogue of Philanthropic Society members since 1795, with a short history of the society and notes on members' careers.
  35. Judge Walter Clark gives the annual address at the 1888 commencement Chosen by the Philanthropic Society, Walter Clark gave the annual address on the Wednesday of the 1888 commencement, speaking on the opportunities before young men and the duties that came with them.
  36. Membership in the literary societies becomes voluntary For many years every student had to join the Dialectic or Philanthropic Society. As the law, medical and pharmacy students grew in number and unwilling members disrupted meetings, joining was made voluntary in 1889.
  37. William James Battle publishes a register of the Dialectic Society The Dialectic Society catalogue, edited by William James Battle, was published in 1890. Its 168 pages hold a history of the society, members' recollections and sketches of members since 1795.
  38. The University Magazine is revived The student literary magazine, suspended under President Winston, resumed in 1897 with S. S. Lamb as editor in chief, supported by the university and the two literary societies.
  39. The Dialectic Society condemns the Glee Club for singing to a mixed audience at Hampton The Dialectic Literary Society censured the university Glee Club for performing before Black and white listeners together at the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, a Black college in Virginia.
  40. John E. Greenbacker Jr. leads the Dialectic and Philanthropic literary society The federal court's findings in Dickson v. Sitterson list Greenbacker as president of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Society, one of the recognized student organizations whose officers brought the Speaker Ban suit. The Daily Tar Heel likewise named him as Di-Phi president among the ten student leaders who wrote to Chancellor Sitterson on March 1, 1966. People: J. Carlyle Sitterson
  41. Students for a Democratic Society invites Frank Wilkinson and Herbert Aptheker to speak at UNC The UNC chapter of Students for a Democratic Society invited Frank Wilkinson, who had pleaded the Fifth Amendment when questioned in California about Communist activities, and the Communist theoretician Herbert Aptheker to speak on campus. After the trustees barred both men, Student Government under Paul Dickson, the Daily Tar Heel, the Carolina Forum, the YMCA and YWCA, the Di-Phi and the Carolina Political Union joined SDS in renewing the invitations. People: Frank Wilkinson, Paul Dickson III, Herbert Aptheker
  42. Eight student groups re-invite Frank Wilkinson under the trustees' new speaker rules The day after the full board of trustees adopted speaker regulations on February 28, Paul Dickson and leaders of the Carolina Forum, the YMCA, the YWCA, the Daily Tar Heel, the Di-Phi, Students for a Democratic Society and the Carolina Political Union formally told Acting Chancellor J. Carlyle Sitterson that Wilkinson was invited for March 2 and Aptheker for March 9. Wilkinson spoke to the Duke Bar Association in Durham that day. People: J. Carlyle Sitterson, Paul Dickson III, Herbert Aptheker, George E. Nicholson III, Robert S. Powell Jr., James A. Medford, Eunice H. Milton, John E. Greenbacker Jr., Eric Van Loon, Gary Waller, Stuart Matthews
  43. Student leaders ask the chancellor to let Wilkinson and Aptheker speak on campus Paul Dickson and the heads of Carolina Forum, the YMCA, the YWCA, Di-Phi, the Carolina Political Union and SDS wrote to Chancellor J. Carlyle Sitterson asking that Wilkinson speak on March 23 and Aptheker on March 25, or on later dates. People: J. Carlyle Sitterson, Paul Dickson III, George E. Nicholson III, Robert S. Powell Jr., James A. Medford, Eunice H. Milton, John E. Greenbacker Jr., Eric Van Loon, Gary Waller, Stuart Matthews
  44. Gary Waller debates Wilson Clark at the first Di-Phi Senate debate The Daily Tar Heel announced that Waller and Carolina Conservative Club president Wilson Clark would be the principal speakers at the inaugural debate of the Di-Phi Senate that evening in New West, on whether human rights should supersede property rights in a modern society. People: John E. Greenbacker Jr.

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