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Histoire Québec

The first and oldest — How does the Literary and Historical Society of compare to other societies? Patrick Donovan

Québec, plus de 400 ans d’histoire Volume 14, Number 1, 2008

URI: https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/11331ac

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Publisher(s) Les Éditions Histoire Québec

ISSN 1201-4710 (print) 1923-2101 (digital)

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Cite this article Donovan, P. (2008). The first and oldest — How does the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec compare to other societies? Histoire Québec, 14(1), 8–10.

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This article is disseminated and preserved by Érudit. Érudit is a non-profit inter-university consortium of the Université de Montréal, Université Laval, and the Université du Québec à Montréal. Its mission is to promote and disseminate research. https://www.erudit.org/en/ The First and Oldest - How does the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec compare to other societies? by Patrick Donovan

Patrick Donovan is a recent graduate of the Masters in Historic Preservation at the Université de Montréal. In 2004, he returned to his native to work for the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, the country's oldest historical society. The Society is presently engaged in creating the Morrin Centre, a cultural cen­ tre in a designated heritage site that aims to showcase the contribution of English speakers to the city. Furthermore, Patrick is the Central/Eastern Quebec director of the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network. He is also a board member for Accès Transports Viables, a Quebec City organization promoting active and collective forms of transportation. Finally, Patrick is a regular contributor to www.urbanphoto.net Patrick Donovan possède une maîtrise en conservation de l'environnement bâti de l'université de Montréal. Il tra­ vaille au Morrin Centre depuis 2004, un centre culturel de langue anglaise opéré par la Literary and Historical Society of Quebec. Il est aussi directeur pour le centre et l'est du Québec au Quebec Anglophone Heritage NJetwork< .

For years, people have claimed Mexico should also be taken India, part of the former British that the Literary and Historical into account. And what about Empire, has several societies Society of Quebec (LHSQ), Native American settlements? older than ours. The most founded in 1824, is the oldest important of these is probably learned society in the former Over time, claims of being the the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, British Empire overseas. It first and oldest become distor­ India. Sir William Jones foun­ would be great if this was true, ted, and legends are born. Is the ded this society in 1784 as a cen­ but it isn't. This wearying talk of Literary and Historical Society tre to study "the history, civil being "the first and oldest" hap­ of Quebec the "oldest in North and natural, the antiquities, arts, pens frequently in heritage cir­ America," "the oldest in the sciences and literature of Asia." cles and should usually be treat­ British Empire" or the "oldest in Its Bombay counterpart, foun­ ed with suspicion. Anyone can the world"? When memory fails ded a few years later, still main­ make a claim, and most of us us, resorting to the most pom­ tains a musty Victorian lending would rather brag than get bog­ pous boast always sounds best. library that bears an uncanny ged down with the arduous task resemblance to the one at the of comparative historical research. The idea that the Society is the LHSQ, mezzanine and all. oldest in the former British The claims made about Quebec Empire overseas goes back to The United States also founded City illustrate this point. Foun­ 1875. It derives from a letter by several historical societies in the ded in 1608, it is still quoted in Sidney Robjohns of the Royal days when it was also part of the many official sources as being Historical Society of Great British Empire overseas. "The the oldest city in North America. Britain to the LHSQ. This casual first drudgery of settling new Other places make similar letter was taken as an authorita­ colonies is now pretty well claims: Jamestown, VA (foun­ tive source. It was referred to in over," wrote Benjamin Franklin ded 1607); Annapolis Royal, NS two M.A. theses as well as the in 1743, "and there are many in (founded 1605); Tadoussac, QC federal government's 1984 heri­ every province in circumstances (trading post established in tage study on the LHSQ. With that set them at ease, and afford 1600); Saint-Augustine, FL such credible endorsements, the leisure to cultivate the finer arts, (founded 1565); and Saint John's, boast of being the first and and improve the common stock NL (first permanent residence oldest appeared to rest on solid of knowledge." That same year, built in 1528). If one adheres to a ground. Let us examine a few Franklin founded the American geographical definition of North older societies that prove other­ Philosophical Society (APS). The America rather than a cultural wise. Society's mandate covered not one, all the Spanish cities in only philosophy but also the natural sciences, literature and though in short-lived skeletal discussion and creation were history. The APS continues to forms. The Académie de Montréal their main preoccupations, the flourish today and publishes its (1778) had aspirations of gro­ circle once hosted a talk on the Transactions regularly. Other wing into its French counter­ medicinal effects of music. existing American learned part, and tried to introduce During the Société's first sum­ societies predating the LHSQ Enlightenment ideas, but its mer, a public contest was held include the Massachusetts founder was soon imprisoned with silver medals awarded to Historical Society (1791), the by the government. La Société "la personne qui célébrera la New York Historical Society Littéraire de Québec was founded naissance de sa glorieuse (1804), and the American in 1809 by a group of franco­ majesté George III, par une Antiquarian Society (1812). phone intellectuals, including pièce de vers, Anglaise, Fran­ Philippe-Joseph Aubert de çoise ou Latine." Within less An argument could be made Gaspé (Les Anciens Canadiens). than a year, the society had fol­ that learned societies existed in This group held meetings every ded. before the LHSQ, other week. Although literary

Library of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec. (Photo : Patrick Donovan, 2007) Unlike these earlier models, the Although the LHSQ has survi­ to over a dozen full-time staff. In LHSQ was closer to the accep­ ved to this day, its mandate has addition to library services, ted British model for a learned evolved. It is more of a local there are heritage tours and society. Its preoccupations were than a national institution, more publications, literary readings, encyclopedic, covering not only community-oriented than aca­ historical talks, theatrical perfor­ literature but also history and demic. The Society eventually mances, virtual exhibits, and a science. Furthermore, the LHSQ focused on its private library, yearly Celtic festival that draws engaged in publication, scholarly which became a meeting place thousands. research, collecting archives, and for people seeking out English- operated a museum with many language books in Quebec City. It may be a stretch to call the complete natural history collec­ Since 2004, the LHSQ began to LHSQ a learned society today, tions used for serious study. It renew its past vigour through but it nevertheless continues its served as a model for later lear­ the Morrin Centre project initial mandate of fostering cul­ ned societies in Quebec, such as (www.morrin.org). This project, tural vitality. It may not be the the numerous Instituts Canadiens which aims to restore the 200- oldest outside the British Isles, founded throughout the pro­ year-old building the LHSQ has but isn't it better to be alive and vince. Its activities also fostered called home for most of its his­ growing than moribund and the creation of the Royal Society tory, has taken the Society stale? of Canada, Library and Archives beyond the library. It now Canada, the National Battlefields manages a full-fledged cultural Commission, and the Geological centre. The team has grown Survey. from a few part-time librarians

Library of the Asiatic Society, Mumbai, founded in 1804. (Photo : Patrick Donovan)