Philomathean Society at New York University
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The Philomathean Society at New York University is a student society that originated at New York University. (The Society shares its name with several college societies at various colleges and universities including the Philomathean Society of the University of Pennsylvania.) This society is administered jointly with the the Eucleian Society at New York University.
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[edit] Origins
In 1832 students began the Philmathean Society at New York University. The Society had as a rival, the Eucleian Society. (Constitution of Philomathean Society) While both Societies forbade membership in their rival society, early records show that early members were sometimes expelled or resigned to join the rival society.
During the period of its founding, student societies such as the Philomathean Society collected their own libraries and augmented their instruction by employing the noted minds of their day. Literary and debate societies offered a departure from the learn-by-rote instruction that prevailed in much of university instruction. The Philomathean Society provided its membership at NYU with a library and augmented student instruction. The University gave the Society its own rooms at the Main University Building.
[edit] Secrecy
The Constitution of the Philomathean Society as well as custom stressed secrecy among members. On occasion Philomatheans hosted open forums for important topics of the day, inviting lecturers of great popularity and fame. Politics, current affairs, literature (especially the Gothic and Romantic popular in the era), and university events seems to have been the most popular topics for internal essays, orations and discussions. The Society also employed repeated symbolism, allegory and other seemingly mystical allusions in its writings, none of which are fully explained in its writings. Until the turn of the century, members also gave public speeches at commencement, apparently occupying a central position in those functions. This practice was ended to preserve the privacy of the Society's membership. (Farewell and Valedictory Addresses)
While there are some archived documents and older publications in circulation, there is very limited information about the Society as a result of its secrecy. In some of the archival records and internal records kept by the Society information has been removed, while other information is written in a kind of short hand, and even the name of the Society itself is omitted on many documents.
[edit] Culture
Little has been shared about the system or workings of the organization. The process of membership is said to take several months and to be multi-staged. The aim of the process has been described in general terms to create familiarity among the members and to inculcate the values of the Society. The primary values are excellence, faithfulness, development of the individual, mutual assistance in supporting each member's aspirations and social responsibility. Members are selected once or twice a year.
The Society represents student debate and literary societies that were popular prior to fraternities and sororities. These societies were influenced by Freemasonry's moral code based on Enlightenment philosophy and ritualism. The William Morgan Affair which gave rise to anti-Masonic witch-hunts caused increased privacy among fraternal organizations, affected the ethos of secrecy among the Eucleian Society and like organizations.
One early lecturer became a very popular figure with the Society. Edgar Allan Poe was a repeated guest of the Philomathean Society and the Eucleian Society, and lived on the Square.
[edit] Modern Era
Joint meetings had always occurred with the avowed rival societies, Philomathean and Eucleian. By the early 1900’s Philomathean had transformed itself into the Andiron Club which continued to profess a rivalry with the Eucleian Society, at least constitutionally. Despite this, the two organizations, removed from their once lofty and central positions in the campus firmament, joined functions and crossed membership, as (increasingly public) membership lists attest to- eventually arriving at a level of synonymity. By mid century on to 1980s, membership also came to encompass students, faculty and literati with and without university affiliation.[1] Relaxed formality, ritual, etc. seems to have prevailed from the late 1960s onwards. During this era the Andiron opened their doors to women membership. This continued through the time of the loss of the University Heights campus and the consolidation of New York University operations to Washington Square in the 1970’s. In the reduced circumstances activities continued.(Records of Andiron Club)
In the late 1980s and 1990s the remaining student membership of the organization attempted to revitalize its undergraduate operations as a senior society. During this time the organization functioned at various sites, with the support of sympathetic faculty. Secrecy seems to have been increased by design, in part because of differences with some alumni and faculty membership and partly to prevent what was seen as hostility towards independent student organizations from the University.
Little is known of what the Society engages in today. It is referenced in various underground student organizations and journals. There are also allusions to its continued function as a literary, oration and debate society. Its historic documents also seem to describe what is a fraternal organization as well. Membership of the Society seems to be based on student achievements and activity in literature, oration, journalism, debate, (media and performing) arts, science, athletics and student government.
Recently the Eucleian Society/Philomathean Society/Andiron Club organization, which operated as a single unit has been said to be reforming as three separate societies-- Eucleian as an all male society and Philomathean as an all female society, with shared functions with the Andiron Club, which also operates as an independent organization, focused on literary and political discussion and published essays.
There is a recent upswing in curiosity and pursuit of membership in Societies similar to Philomathean and Eucleian. Partially it is lore and media attention to Societies like Quill and Dagger, Skull and Bones (or Knights of Eulogia), Seven Society, Skull and Dagger[2], The Machine, Sphinx (senior society), Episocopon at Toronto, Order of Angell, St. Anthony Hall, DERU[3], et al. There are reasons beyond idle curiosity that attracts interests from students, viz. honing public speaking and debate skills in a supportive environment; a literary outlet; a venue to engage in varied topics of discussion; society with genuine fraternal values. It is possible that Eucleian is benefitting from this new found curiosity and genuine, informed interest.
[edit] Note on Societies
Said author Kevin Phillips, “People have wondered why these secret societies have been hotbeds of future success. Rather than competing with fraternities and student organizations, these ‘secret societies’ augment or leverage other organizations. What makes them unique and singularly successful is that they stress goal oriented vision among a limited and distinguished group. Often they assist each other, secretly, in gaining prominent campus positions as practice for what they want to do in the real world. As opposed to larger organizations they maintain the strength of their ties post graduation."
