Members of the Athenaeum, pictured in the 1933 edition of The Ivy. Image credit: Trinity College Archives

The Athenaeum was one of Trinity College's first literary societies, a way for students to debate and study. In the early days of Trinity College (initially known as Washington College), these societies were an essential part of American campus culture.

In late 1824, Bishop Brownell met with a committee of three students and the Rev. George W. Doane, A.M., Professor of Belle Lettres and Oratory to begin planning Trinity's own society. The committee drafted plans for a literary and debate society, which was officially initiated on June 4, 1825.

During its first meeting, a seal, motto, and constitution were created. Sixteen undergraduates, Bishop Brownell, Professor Doane, the Reverend Hector Humphreys, A.M., Tutor, and George Sumner, M.D., Professor of Botany constituted the society's membership.

In 1826, after gaining wide attention from students, the College gave the society official recognition, stating “no new society shall be established in the College, without permission of the Faculty.” However, eventually other societies did open, creating friendly competition encouraged by faculty.

Societies were rather welcoming and most students became involved in one. Societies maintained a library, housed in Jarvis Hall. The Athenaeum in particular had over 1000 volumes by 1844, covering religion, history, philosophy, and creative writing, such as dramas and poetry.

Meetings were held on Saturdays when students had a nearly three-hour gap in their schedules, typically filled by courses during the week. The societies would meet to read papers, then gather to debate with the other societies on ethics, politics, current events, or classical history. Religious debate was not considered appropriate.

Eventually, the introduction of modern-style fraternities led to societies such as the Athenaeum to decrease in popularity, disappearing completely in 1870 before being revived around 1889. Meeting once a week on Fridays, the new Athenaeum enjoyed faculty lectures and debates, reaching 25 members by 1892, but ended only two years later.

Students continued to resurrect the Athenaeum occasionally. It returned again during the years of 1929 to 1943, and 1948 to 1973. Most recently, it was revived in 1992.

Trinity College in the Twentieth Century (2000) by Peter and Anne Knapp, p. 16.

History of Trinity College (1967) by Glenn Weaver, pp. 55-59, 221-222.

The Trinity Ivy, 1933.