Albany Burns Club (Aka Glasgow Albany Burns Club)

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Albany Burns Club (aka Glasgow Albany Burns Club)

Overview

The Albany Burns Club was founded by a few members of the soon-to-be-defunct Albany Bowling Club in order ‘[t]o keep up the old and valued friendships that were made on its turn’ (‘Club Notes’, ‘ALBANY BURNS CLUB’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. X (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1901), pp. 107-8). They formed their club ‘for the purpose of affording its members an opportunity of studying the works of our National Bard as well as meeting together throughout the winter months in a social capacity’ (Ibid).

The club met monthly between October and March at the Trades’ House Restaurant on Glassford Street (Merchant City, in the heart of the city centre) with membership being restricted to 150 members.

Date of Existence

1899?-? (the 1901 Annual Burns Chronicle gives 1900 as the founding year, while the 1904 Chronicle gives 1899); Federated 1900

Source of Information

1. Roseberry [sic] Donation, Catalogue of the Burns Exhibition. Galleries of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, 175 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow (Glasgow: William Hodge & Co., 1896), [title page] (Mitchell Library Special Collections, 907880);

2. ‘Burns Anniversary. Celebrations in Falkirk and District. Falkirk Burns Club’, Falkirk Herald, 27 January 1909, p. 6;

3. ‘Burns’ Anniversary. Celebrations in Falkirk and District. Falkirk Burns Club’, Falkirk Herald, 28 January 1914, p. 3;

4. ‘Burns’ Anniversary. Celebrations in Falkirk and District. Falkirk Burns Club’, Falkirk Herald, 31 January 1914, p. 3;

5. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. X (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1901), pp. 107-8; 6. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1902), p. 122; 146;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 147;

8. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), p. 157;

9. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 172.

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Catalogue, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

907880 (MLSC) (Catalogue)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

This Burns club sent visitors to and held joint meetings with the following:Rosebery Burns Club, Glasgow Carlton Burns Club, Bridgeton Burns Club, and Sandyford Burns Clubs.

This list of Burns chronicles as sources of information gives the first year the club was included in the chronicle, and thereafter only for the years where the information is different from the previous year’s listing. In keeping with the scope of this study (1800-1914), only the chronicles published between 1892 and 1914 are included.

Albion Mutual Improvement Union

Overview

The evidence for this society comes from the syllabus for the Spring 1862 session and from the three extant issues of a magazine produced in manuscript by its members (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). The ‘Order of Readers’ at the front of the April 1862 issue lists 21 readers (presumably all male; the July issue only lists 17), which suggests that this was a relatively small group.

At the front of the April 1862 issue of The Albion Journal can be found a flyer for the April to June 1862 syllabus. From this, we know that members met weekly on Wednesday evenings at 1 Cross Gibson Street in the Gallowgate area (in the heart of the city centre). They read essays and held debates on a variety of subjects. According to a note at the bottom of the syllabus, ‘Grammar, &c., will be engaged in each evening’, and a formal ‘Conversation’ between the members on a pre-arranged topic was held on nights when essays were read.

Within the April 1862 issue is transcribed an address given by their President to the group at the inauguration of the society in September 1860. Speaking for the society, he said that it was through their mutual improvement class, through reading, writing and debating — indeed their ‘labour‘ — that members hoped they could improve their position in and contribute to society.

Date of Existence

13 September 1860-1863?

Source of Information 1. The Albion Literary Journal: A Quarterly Magazine of Instructive and Recreative Literature, Conducted by the Members of the Albion Mutual Improvement Union, No. II, April 1862; No. III, July 1862; No. IV, [June or July 1863?];

2. ‘Syllabus’, Albion Mutual Improvement Union, April-June 1862 [loose printed brochure located in front of No. II April 1862 issue]

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 891260/1-3

Additional Notes

See also entry for The Albion Literary Journal: A Quarterly Magazine of Instructive and Recreative Literature on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Anderston Social Club (not the same as the Anderston Club)

Overview

Anderston is an area just over a mile to the west of Glasgow’s city centre. (For more information about this area, see Michael Moss’s article, ‘Industrial Revolution: 1770s to 1830s. Neighbourhoods. Anderston‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

According to John M’Dowall, author of The People’s History of Glasgow (1899):

‘The Anderston Social Club was formed on 13th June, 1813. It was originally composed of thirty members, who chiefly resided in the villages of Anderston and Finnieston. It met in a tavern in Anderston, belonging to John Adam, every Monday night, from half- past eight till eleven o’clock. In addition to talking over the latest war news, poetry was a specialty with the members, among whom was William Glen, the author of “Wae’s me for Prince Charlie.” Many of the songs composed by the members are contained in the minute-books of the club.’

(John K. M’Dowall, The People’s History of Glasgow. An Encyclopedic Record of the City From the Prehistoric Period to the Present Day (Glasgow: Hay Nisbet and Co. Ltd., 1899), pp. 92-3)

It is currently unknown if these minute books still exist.

Date of Existence

13 June 1813-?

Source of Information

M’Dowall, John K., The People’s History of Glasgow. An Encyclopedic Record of the City From the Prehistoric Period to the Present Day (Glasgow: Hay Nisbet and Co. Ltd., 1899), pp. 92-3.

Repository

Mitchell Library

Reference Number

Mitchell (GC) 941.443 MCD; Mitchell (AL) MCD

Additional Notes

This work was originally published in 1899, and later re-published in 1970. The Mitchell Library has both copies. The first reference number refers to the earlier edition.

Auld Clinkum Burns Club Overview

There is very little currently known about this club. According to theAnnual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, members met on the first Saturday of each month at an establishment on St. Vincent Street (to the west of the city centre, no number given).

Date of Existence

1900-? Federated 13 October 1913

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in annual report in Glasgow and District Burns Club minute book: ‘Annual Report for Session 1913-1914’, Minutes, Glasgow and District Burns Club, 12 September 1912-30 April 1919, p. 60 (MLSC, 891709));

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), p. 231

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (minutes, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

891709 (MLSC) (minutes)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite) Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Bank Burns Club

Overview

This Burns club met weekly on Saturday evenings at Mrs. M’Arthur’s in 1883, later the Club Rooms at M’Culloch’s in 1892, both of which are listed as 109 Argyle Street, before moving in 1896 (at least) to Whyte and Smith’s at 89 Glassford Street.

The club’s object was ‘[t]he annual celebration of the birth-day of Robert Burns; occasional re-unions for the cultivation of social and intellectual intercourse amongst the members and friends’ (‘Bank Burns Club’, ‘Associations Too Late For Classification’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1883-1884… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1883), p. 128). There were 150 members in the 1890s.

Date of Existence

1844-1909; 1914-? Federated 1886

Source of Information

1. ‘Bank Burns Club’, ‘Associations Too Late For Classification’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1883-1884… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1883), p. 128;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies, for 1892’, in BC, ed. by John Muir, No. I (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., 25 January 1892), p. 130;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 193;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 131

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Glasgow Post Office directories, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Glasgow Post Office directories, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

Overview

Clydebank is located to the west of Glasgow and is situated on the north of the River Clyde. The Visit Scotland website offers a brief history of the area:

‘Clydebank is the historic heartland of the Scottish shipbuilding industry […]

During the 19th century, Clydebank grew from a small village to one of the world’s major ship building centres. The town was originally known as Barns o’ Clyde, but changed its name in 1882 after the Thomson brothers relocated their shipyard to the village and began building tenement housing for the workers.’

According to the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, from 1910 until 1913 (at least), this Burns club met once a month between September and April at Mr Hutcheon’s Restaurant on Glasgow Road, Clydebank. It is currently unknown how many members it had.

Date of Existence

1896-? Federated 2 March 1910

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in minutes of the Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 11 December 1907, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 8 November 1907-5 September 1912, p. 9 (MLSC, 891709));

2. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 127;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock, Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 179; 4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 183

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (minutes, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

891709 (MLSC) (minutes)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

This club is not the same as the Clydebank Burns Club. See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Barony Free Church Literary Society (not the same as the Barony Mutual Improvement Society, later the Barony Young Men’s Association)

Overview

Members of this literary society were most likely part of the congregation of the Barony Free Church, which was located at 43 Castle Street, in the Townhead area of Glasgow. (For more information about this church, seeGlasgow ‘ — Barony‘ on the the Ecclegen website, and Gordon Adams’s article, Barony‘ North Church of Scotland‘, on the East Glasgow History website. For more information about the Townhead area of Glasgow, see Gerald Blaikie’s article,Townhead ‘ Glasgow. Cathedral Precinct‘, on theScotCities website.)

There is very little currently known about this society. The sole evidence comes from the 1883-84 syllabus of another literary group. According to their syllabus for this year, the Wellpark Free Church Young Men’s Literary Society had a joint debate with the Barony Free Church Literary Society on ‘Monarchism v. Republicanism’, which was held on 20 November 1883.

Date of Existence

1883?-?

Source of Information

‘Syllabus 1883-84’, [Wellpark Free Church Young Men’s Literary Society], [1883] (attached to the back of the Wellpark society’s 1883-84 literary magazine) (Wellpark F. C. Literary Society M. S. Magazine, 1883-84, pp. 146-47).

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number 42897

Additional Notes

See also Wellpark Free Church Young Men’s Literary Society.

Barony Mutual Improvement Society (later became Barony Young Men’s Association) (not the same as Barony Free Church Literary Society)

Overview

Members of this literary society were most likely part of the congregation of the Barony Church (Church of Scotland), which was located in the Townhead area of Glasgow and near the cathedral. (For more information about the church, see ‘Barony Church, Glasgow. History‘, on the University of Strathclyde Archives online catalogue. See also Gordon Adams’s article, ‘Barony Church of Scotland‘, on the East Glasgow History website. For more information about the Townhead area of Glasgow, see Gerald Blaikie’s article,Townhead ‘ Glasgow. Cathedral Precinct‘, on the ScotCities website.)

This group met weekly on Wednesdays at 8pm in M’Lauchlan School Room (Free School), which was located at 107 Cathedral Street in the city centre. The subscription for membership was three shillings per annum (a bit more expensive than the average, which was 2s 6d) and entitled members to use of the society’s Library. The Library (also located at the M’Lauchlan School Room) was open on the last Wednesday of every month at 8pm. While membership was restricted to male members of the congregation, women nonetheless contributed to the society’s magazine, which was not unusual. The group produced a magazine for their society in manuscript between 1863 and 1875 (at least) (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1863-1875?

Source of Information

Barony MS Magazines, Barony Mutual Improvement Society [later the Barony Young Men’s Association], 6 vols, July 1863, August 1863, September 1863, August 1864, March 1869, 1873-75

Repository

University of Strathclyde Archives

Reference Number

GB 249 T-MIN/18/1/1-6

Additional Notes

See also one digitised issue of the Barony MS Magazine, August 1863, available on our website. See also entry for Barony MS Magazines on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Berkeley Street United Presbyterian Church Literary Association

Overview

Members of this literary association were most likely part of the congregation of the Berkeley Street United Presbyterian Church, which was located at Charing Cross. (For more information about this church, see ‘Berkeley Street UP Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website). There is very little known about this group. The association is mentioned as taking part in a Parliamentary Election, along with the Free St. Matthew’s Y.M.C. Union and the Wellington Church Literary Association, on 28 November 1892.

Date of Existence

1892?-?

Source of Information

(Mentioned in records for Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association: Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association, ‘Syllabus 1892-93’, in Fifth Minute Book, 1892-96, p. 26)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

(See Fifth Minute Book for Wellington Presbyterian Church Literary Association, CH3/1238/2)

Additional Notes

See also Free St. Matthew’s Young Men’s Christian Union, and the Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association with whom this society held at least one joint meeting.

Bridgeton Association for Religious and Intellectual Improvement

Overview

Bridgeton is an area to the east of Glasgow’s city centre. (For more information about this area, see Gordon Adams’s chapter, [Bridgeton & Dalmarnock],Historical ‘ Background‘, on the East Glasgow History website.)

According to the evidence given in 1836 to the Commissioners of Religious Instruction by Reverend John Edwards, Minister of the Relief Congregation, Edwards’ church was the only one in the village, and his congregation was comprised chiefly of the poor and the working classes. More specifically, he lists them as being ‘[e]very species of handicraftsman, weavers, cotton spinners, masons, wrights, and shopkeepers’. At that time, the Association was a collective of 10 Sabbath Schools in the area that were supported by voluntary subscription from the villagers. In addition to a library, there was also a charity reading school. The Association’s listing in the 1870 to 1871 Glasgow Post Office directory suggests that their original aims were still being carried out:

‘The principal object of the Assocation is the moral and religious improvement of the population of Bridgeton by the circulation of the Scriptures; the delivery of lectures; the establishment of Sabbath schools; the support of week-day and evening schools; and such other measures as appear best calculated to promote those ends. Institution Buildings, Bridgeton Public School, 96 Main Street, Bridgeton.’

(‘Bridgeton Association for Religious and Intellectual Improvement’, ‘Religious and Moral Societies’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1870-1871… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1870), p. 81)

Date of Existence

1824-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Declaration of Mr Andrew Thomson, Relief Congregation, Barony Parish, Glasgow, 13th April 1836’, Report of the Commissioners of Religious Instruction, Scotland, Vol. 2 (Edinburgh: printed by W. & A. K. Johnston, 1837), p. 441, https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=p-NHAQAAMAAJ [accessed 20/08/17];

2.’Bridgeton Association for Religious and Intellectual Improvement’, ‘Religious and Moral Societies’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1870-1871… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1870), p. 81;

3. Records for Glasgow: Bridgeton Friendly Association (NRS, FS1/16/51)

Repository Mitchell Library (Glasgow Post Office directory)

National Library of Scotland (Glasgow Post Office directory)

National Records of Scotland (NRS) (records, Bridgeton Friendly Assoc.)

Reference Number

(see Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Andrew Thomson was a Clerk to the managers of the Relief Congregation, Barony Parish, Glasgow. Thomson was an elder of the church and the Director of the association.

Bridgeton Burns Club

Overview

The Bridgeton Burns Club’s website gives the group’s earliest stated object as being the:

‘…endeavour, through DONATION, SUBSCRIPTION and other MEANS to establish a fund for the encouragement of the KNOWLEDGE and CULTIVATION of SCOTTISH LITERATURE amongst the children of members, with a view ultimately to found scholarships… and… bursaries at the University, for meritorious Pupils selected from the Bridgeton Elementary Schools, who shall excel in a competitive examination on a portion of Scottish literature previously indicated by the Club.’

(‘History’, Bridgeton Burns Club [accessed 27/02/18])

Today, the Schools Competition continues to be one of the club’s foremost activities.

In the late nineteenth century, the group met in the Club Rooms at 2 James Street, and later in the Mechanics’ Hall on Canning Street (now part of London Road), Calton. (For more information about this area, see Gordon Adams’s article, ‘Carlton’ on the East Glasgow History website.) Its membership grew from ‘about 250’ in 1894, to 380 in 1914.

Date of Existence

1870-present. Federated 1891

Source of Information

1. Bridgeton Burns Club Minutes, January 1871-23 January 1893 (MLSC, 891421);

2. Bridgeton Burns Club Minutes, 1893-1906 (MLSC, 891707);

3. Annual general meeting [of the Bridgeton Burns Club], Tuesday, 23 March 1993, Marriott Hotel, Argyle Street, Glasgow [agenda and minutes] (3 leaves) (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) BNSf24 BRI 907733);

4. Bridgeton Burns Club Homepage [accessed 10/05/15];

5. Glasgow and District Burns HomepageClub [accessed 23/09/15];

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies, for 1892’, BC, ed. by John Muir, No. I (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., 25 January 1892), p. 130;

7. Minute entry for 27 March 1913, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 12 September 1912-30 April 1919 (MLSC, 891709, p. 15);

8. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 195;

9. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 133;

10. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 152;

11. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1898), p. 139;

12. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1899’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1899), p. 157;

13. (Note: there are numerous articles in theGlasgow Herald on this club; see the British Newspaper Archive )

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

This Burns club sent visitors to and held joint meetings with the following:Rosebery Burns Club, Glasgow Carlton Burns Club, Albany Burns Club, and Sandyford Burns Clubs.

Brougham Literary Club (possibly same as Brougham Literary Institute)

Overview

It is possible that this society was named for Henry Brougham (1778-1868), a highly influential advocate of social reform who helped to found the Edinburgh Review, and whose utilitarian philosophy was behind his Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK) was founded in November 1826, largely under the direction of Henry Brougham, who, along with George Birkbeck, George Grote, and William Tooke, formed a committee that became the SDUK, whose aim was the education of the working and middle classes through the production and publication of cheap educational books and materials. The society ceased to exist after 1848. (For an overview of the history of the society, see Robert Stewart, Henry Brougham, 1778-1868: His Public Career (London: The Bodley Head, 1985), pp. 188-95.)

There is little currently known about this club. From its listing in the Glasgow Post Office directory for 1863-1864, we know that beginning in 1861, the group met every Friday evening from September until April. The meeting place of the club was listed as being 38 Hutcheson Street, the address given in the same directory for ‘Patton, John spirit merchant’, so members were gathering at a local pub.

Date of Existence

1861-?

Source of Information

1.’Brougham Literary Club’, ‘Literary and Scientific Societies’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1863, 1864… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1863), p. 88;

2. (For the Brougham Literary Institute, see ‘Brougham Literary Institute’,Glasgow Weekly Mail, 1 March 1862, p. 4)

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Glasgow Post Office Directory)

Multimedia room George IV Bridge (stored in GIVB), Mf.N.306, no. 1-2777 Mar. 1, 1862-May 15, 1915 (NLS) (Glasgow Weekly Mail)

Additional Notes

The Glasgow Post Office directories are available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland. Digitised copies are available through the NLS website:

The Glasgow Weekly Mail is available at the Mitchell Library and National Library of Scotland on microfilm. See also theBritish Newspaper Archive: . Caledonia Burns Club (not same as Caledonian Burns Club)

Overview

The ‘Club Notes’ in the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory for 1901 includes this club’s Constitution, which gives its objects:

‘The objects of the Club shall be to foster an intimate acquaintance with the works of Burns, and to celebrate the memory of our National Bard by Annual Social Meetings, and by such other means as may be arranged.’

(‘Club Notes’, ‘CO-OPERATIVE BURNS CLUB’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. X (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1901), pp. 106-7)

The same listing states that in order to join, gentlemen had to pay an entry fee of two shillings, and members paid an annual subscription of one shilling, which was cheaper than the average for other clubs during this period (2s 6d). The club held their meetings between September and April on the last Friday of each month. They met at 8pm at the Bridge Street Station Hotel (6 Bridge Street). Later, the club moved their meetings to 1 Cathcart Road, which, according to the 1904-1905 Glasgow Post Office directory, was the business address of one Mrs. James Anderson, wine and spirit merchant.

Date of Existence

1899?-? Federated 24 March 1899

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1900’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1900), p. 148;

2. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. X (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1901), pp. 106-7;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 145;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), p. 155

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Caledonian Burns Club (aka Glasgow Caledonian Burns Club) (not same as Caledonia Burns Club, Glasgow)

Overview

There is little currently known about this club. According to theAnnual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, in 1898, the group met every other Thursday. From 1899 until 1912 (at least), this was changed to every other Tuesday from September to April, when the club would meet at George M. Nichol’s (wine merchant), located at 25 Caledonia Road, South Side.

Date of Existence

1896-? Federated 1896, but 1914Annual Burns Chronicle gives 1897 as date of federation.

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in Minutes of Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 30 March 1908, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 8 November 1907-5 September 1912, p. 18) ;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1898), p. 144;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1899’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1899), p. 161;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 143;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), p. 153;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1907), p. 163;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 167

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

891709 (MLSC) (Minutes)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Calton Wesleyan-Methodist Congregational Young Men’s Society

Overview

Calton is a district just to the east of Glasgow’s city centre. (For more information about this area, see Gordon Adams’s article,Calton ‘ ’ on the East Glasgow History website.) Members of this young men’s society were most likely part of the congregation of the Calton Wesleyan-Methodist Church. According to the Glasgow Post Office directory, the church was one of three Wesleyan Methodist chapels in the city at the time when this society was running. Daniel S. Tatham was minister in 1839.

To date, we don’t know how many young men belonged to this society, nor how long the group was in existence. The information we do have comes from the society’s magazine that was produced by and for its members (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). There are a total of 15 extant issues of this magazine.

Date of Existence

1839-1840?

Source of Information

Calton Wesleyan-Methodist Congregational Young Men’s Society Magazine, ed. by G. Currie, March 1839-January 1840, with Supplement to Dec. 1839; Mar. 1840-May 1840

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 585510-585510a

Additional Notes From the Mitchell Library online catalogue on the magazines: ‘Note: Handwritten anthology of essays and poems on religious subjects, missionary intelligence, letters to the editor[.] Donated by Miss H.E. Waddel’ [accessed 21 January 2018].

See also entry for Calton Wesleyan-Methodist Congregational Young Men’s Society Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Camphill United Presbyterian Church Literary Institute

Overview

Camphill refers to the estate and Camphill House in the south side of Glasgow which were bought by Glasgow City Council in the late nineteenth century. (For more information about this area, see ‘Camphill Park‘ on The Glasgow Story website). The area is now part of Queen’s Park. Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of the Camphill United Presbyterian Church, located at 20 Balvicar Drive.

There is little currently known about this society. The only evidence we have to date comes from the syllabi of another literary group, the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, which list the dates in various years on which the Camphill United Presbyterian Church Literary Institute was scheduled to participate in a joint meetings with them (see below).

Date of Existence

1891?-?

Source of Information

1. (Listed as having a joint meeting with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, the Pollokshields Free Church Literary Institute, and Queen’s Park Free Church Literary Institue on 26 January 1891: ‘Syllabus’, 1890-1891, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912);

2. (Listed as having a joint meeting with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, the Pollokshields Free Church Literary Institute, and Queen’s Park Free Church Literary Institute on 1 February 1892: ‘Syllabus’, 1890-1891, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912)

[Note: this is not an exhaustive list; there are other later debates that were scheduled between this society and the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute; see Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1471/45

Additional Notes

See also Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UK Church Literary Institute, Pollokshields Free Church Literary Institute, and Queen’s Park Free Church Literary Society, with whom this society held joint meetings.

City of Glasgow Literary Society

Overview

The object of this society was its members’ intellectual improvement through the reading and discussion of essays written by society members, but this was to exclude the subject of religious doctrine.

A couple of examples of the essays read in their meetings include: ”Friends in Council’ or Reading and Criticism’, ‘Literary Societies’, and ‘a series of extracts from Leigh Hunt’s ‘Jar of Honey from Mount Hybla’ (Minute entry, 23 November 1853, Minute Book, City of Glasgow Literary Society, 1853-63).

Some of the authors that were discussed included Leigh Hunt, Victor Hugo, Thomas Hood, Nicolas Gogol (a member read an original translation of ‘Tarass Boulba’ from the French), and Cervantes.

This group was fairly small in size: the number of members in the early years fluctuated between 12 and 22. They met every other Wednesday from October until April. The subscription charge was two shillings and six pence for the session, which was the average fee for societies during the second half of the century. The society met at various venues across the city, including: the Tontine Hotel (for more information on this hotel see, ‘Tontine Hotel‘ on The Glasgow Story website); Angus’ [sic] Coffee House (Argyle Street); and the Bedford Hotel (54 St George’s Place, off the west side of Buchanan Street in the city centre).

Date of Existence

14 November 1850-1863?

Source of Information

Minute Book, City of Glasgow Literary Society, 1853-63

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

436004

Additional Notes

From the Glasgow Libraries Online Catalogue: ‘Note: Handwritten minutes of meetings, and rules of the Society adopted in 1853, with signatures of members at that time’ [accessed 22 January 2018]. Clarinda Burns Club (currently unclear if this is Glasgow Clarinda Club)

Overview

This club was named after ‘Clarinda’, the name adopted by Agnes McLehose (or MacLehose, M’Lehose, Meklehose), whose affair with Robert Burns (‘Sylvander’) is the subject of ‘Ae fond kiss’ (1791).

The Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory for the years 1908-1911 include this club’s syllabi. The group met once a month from October until March. In addition to the lectures, there were various social activities. To give a few examples, beyond the celebration of Burns night in January every year, there was a ‘Ladies’ Night – Tea, &c., Harmony’, a ‘Church Parade’, and a Ladies’ Night that included ‘Progressive Whist, Music, Dancing’.

Date of Existence

1899-1937?

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in Minutes of Glasgow and District Burns Club: minute entry, 11 December 1907, Minutes, Glasgow and District Burns Club, 8 November 1907-5 September 1912, p. 9 (MLSC, 891709));

2. ‘McLehose (or MacLehose, M’Lehose, Meklehose), Agnes (‘Clarinda’)’,The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women, ed. by Elizabeth Ewan, Sue Innes, and Sian Reynolds (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2006), p. 237;

3. Vance, Michael E., ‘Burns in the Park: A Tale of Three Monuments’, in Robert Burns and Transatlantic Culture, ed. by Sharon Alker, Leith Davis and Holly Faith Nelson (Farnham, Surrey: Ashgate Publishing, 2012), pp. 209-232 (p. 225); 4. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 132;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), p. 223

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (minutes, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

891709 (MLSC) (Minutes)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Clifton Literary Society (currently unknown if this is the later Clifton Road Literary Society)

Overview

Clifton is an area just to the west of Charing Cross. Not a great deal is currently known about this society, which was composed of both men and women. However, their (members’?) location near the West End, along with the press notices on the opening address for the session — being a ticketed formal dinner in the Queen’s Rooms (Buchanan Street) — suggests that this society was probably a middle-class group with at least a moderately-sized number of members.

Date of Existence

1861?-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Clifton Literary Society’, Glasgow Herald, 19 October 1864, p. 2;

2. ‘Clifton Literary Society’, Glasgow Herald, 22 October 1864, p. 8;

3. Clifton Literary Society, The third annual feed of the Clifton Literary Society … 15th April, 1864 ([Glasgow], [1864]) (UGSC)

Repository

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Herald)

National Library of Scotland (Glasgow Herald)

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Reference Number

Sp Coll Mu22-f.2 (UGSC)

Additional Notes The Mitchell Library and National Library of Scotland have copies of the Glasgow Herald on microfilm as well as hard copies (consult online catalogues for further details). Digitised copies are available through theBritish Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/.

Clydebank Burns Club

Overview

Clydebank is located to the west of Glasgow and is situated on the north of the River Clyde. The Visit Scotland website offers a brief history of the area:

‘Clydebank is the historic heartland of the Scottish shipbuilding industry […]

There is very little currently known about this Burns club. Outwith the names and addresses of its president and secretary, there is no information on the size of its membership nor any details regarding its meeting time and place in the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory listing.

Date of Existence

1897?-1910; 1914-? Federated 1897

Source of Information

‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1900’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1900), p. 146

Repository Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

This club is not the same as the Barns O’ Clyde Burns Club, Clydebank.

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

Co-operative Burns Club

Overview

This Burns club met on the first Saturday of each month between October and May at 8pm. Its meetings were held at various local restaurants (e.g. in Room No. 10 at M’Culloch’s Restaurant, Croy place, 9 Maxwell Street, at 109 Argyle Street, and later at Sloan’s Arcade Cafe, Argyle Street). At the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries, it had about 80 members.

The club was keen to emphasise the literary element of its meetings. For example, in addition to its musical evenings, the club advertised in the ‘Special Features’ of the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory that ‘[a]t each meeting a paper on Burns or other literary subject is given by competent lecturers’.

(‘No. 83–GLASGOW Co-operative Burns Club’, ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1907), p. 163)

Date of Existence

1896-? Federated 1896

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in minutes of Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 8 November 1907, Minutes, Glasgow and District Burns Club, 8 November 1907-5 September 1912, p. 1 (MLSC, 891709));

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 156;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1899’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January, 1899), pp. 160-61;

4. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. X (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1901), pp. 106-07;

5. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1902), p. 121;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 143;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), p. 153;

8. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), p. 152;

9. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1907), p. 163;

10. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1908’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1908), p. 137;

11. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 169

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Minutes, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

College United Free Church Literary Society

Overview

There is little currently known about this society. The only information we have to date comes from a 1903 printed brochure for the Wellington United Free Church, Glasgow (see ‘Additional Notes’ below), which lists a a joint debate with the College United Free Church Literary Society.

It is likely that this society was connected with the Glasgow University United Free Church Students’ Society, which was founded in 1845, and was running about the same as the literary society (see, for example, The Glasgow University Calendar for the Year 1908-9 (Glasgow: James Maclehose and Sons, 1908, p. 756).

Date of Existence

1903?-?

Source of Information

(Mentioned in printed brochure: ‘Wellington United Free Church, Glasgow. Supplement. March, 1903’, The Missionary Record of the United Free Church of Scotland (Edinburgh and London: Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1903); [annotated:] ‘First issue G.H.M’, p. 2; joint debate between the two societies, pp. 2-3)

Repository

University of Glasgow Library

Reference Number Theology Pers MI700

Additional Notes

See also Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association, with whom this society at least one joint meeting.

Dennistoun Burns Club (not the same as Dennistoun Jolly Beggars Burns Club)

Overview

Dennistoun is an area located to the east of Glasgow’s City Centre. (For more information about this area, see Ian R. Mitchell’s article,Dennistoun: ‘ No Mean Streets‘ on the Glasgow West End website).

There is not much currently known about this Burns club. It was a small group, having only 25 members at the end of the nineteenth century. Its meetings were held at Loudoun Arms Hotel, Duke Street, Dennistoun. (For more information on the history of this hotel, see John Gorevan’s article, ‘The Loudoun Arms Hotel‘ on the Old Glasgow Pubs website.)

Date of Existence

1886-1909; 1914-? Federated 1889

Source of Information

1. Memorial Catalogue of the Burns Exhibition. Held in the Galleries of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, 175 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, From 15th July till 31st October, 1896 (Glasgow: William Hodge & Company and T. & R. Annan & Sons, 1898), p. xvi (MLSC, Mitchell (AL), 14A MEM 472108); 2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies, for 1892’, in BC, ed. by John Muir, No. I (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., 25 January 1892), p. 130;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, February 1894), p. 195;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1898), p. 139

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL), 14A MEM 472108 (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue)

General Reading Room (stored offsite) X.195.a (NLS) (Memorial Catalogue)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

Overview

Dennistoun is an area located to the east of Glasgow’s city centre. (For more information about this area, see Ian R. Mitchell’s article,Dennistoun: ‘ No Mean Streets‘ on the Glasgow West End website).

There is not much currently known about this Burns club. The 1912Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory gives its objects in the ‘Special features of Club’:

‘The objects of the Club shall be the celebration of the birth of Robert Burns, occasional re-union for the cultivation of social and intellectual intercourse amongst members and friends, and the encouragement of Scottish literature.’

(‘No. 203–DENNISTOUN Jolly Beggars Burns Club’, Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912′, inAnnual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 186)

The meetings were held at 8pm on the last Thursday of the month at the Loudoun Arms Hotel, Duke Street, Dennistoun. (For more information on the history of this club, see John Gorevan’s article, The‘ Loudoun Arms Hotel‘ on the Old Glasgow Pubs website.)

Date of Existence

25 January 1911-? Federated 6 June 1911

Source of Information

‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 186 Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Dowanhill Society of Belles Lettres

Overview

Dowanhill is an area in the West End of Glasgow. (For a brief summary of its history, see ‘History of Byres Road. The birth of the West End‘ on the Visit West End website). This literary society was composed of young men and women from the area, or ‘adherents of Dowanhill Church’, which was located on Hyndland Street. (For a brief history of the church, see ‘Dowanhill UP Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website). The subscription fee was one shilling for the year, which was cheaper than the average for literary societies during this period (2s 6d).

The group met on the last Monday of each month to discuss three pre-selected books (members were only required to read one of these, or even part of one), and a paper was given on each book. It had very strict rules for reading: each member was to read (at least) half-an-hour a day, or three hours a week in total, the Sabbath excluded. In fact, a fee was incurred for not reading for this prescribed amount of time.

Date of Existence

1898-?

Source of Information

(Society brochure with ‘Objects’ and ‘Rules’)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 23, p. 234

Additional Notes

Also includes a list of office bearers and committee members.

Eastpark Literary Society (currently unknown if this is same society as Park Literary Institution) Overview

Eastpark is located in the Maryhill area of Glasgow, in the northwest of the city. The information on this society comes from a brochure advertising an upcoming opening talk. This is inserted into a press cuttings book (see below for reference). The lecture, entitled, ‘The Art of Forgetting’, was given by John Adams, Esq., M.A., B.Sc., Rector of the United Free Church Training College. It was held at 8pm at the Eastpark United Free Church, Gower Street, North Kelvinside, on Monday, 28 October 1901.

On the back of the brochure is an advertisement for the Eastpark Literary Association, which was then recently revived. Members of this group were to be formed of young men and women of the congregation of Eastpark United Free Church, with membership open to the young people in the district. The subscription fee was one shilling and six pence, which was cheaper than other societies at this time. Meetings were held in the church hall every other Monday in the evening. In addition to monthly lectures, they planned ‘to have a number of debates and musical evenings’.

Date of Existence

1898?-?

Source of Information

(Loose flyer advertisement for lecture, in presscuttings book between p. 94 and p. 95 (Lord Provost’s Office, Records of Public Events in Glasgow, Presscutting Book, General (Y.M.C.A. and other clubs, etc.) 15 Sep. 1898-4 Oct. 1901))

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

G2/3/7

Additional Notes

– Eclectic Literary Society (not same as St. John’s Parish Church Eclectic Literary Association)

Overview

There is not a great deal currently known about this society. The Glasgow Post Office directory offers a list of office bearers in 1854 (these are also given in the newspaper articles listed below), while the articles in theGlasgow Citizen and Glasgow Herald report on the annual dinners and annual elections. However, from these, it appears that this group’s members were middle-class, Evangelical Dissenters. The Honorary Patron of the society was the Scottish poet, Thomas Campbell.

Date of Existence

February 1838-1846?

Source of Information

1. ‘Eclectic Literary’, ‘Educational and Scientific Institutions’,Glasgow Post-Office Annual Directory for 1854-1855… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1854), p. 132;

2. ‘Eclectic Literary Society’, Glasgow Citizen, 10 February 1844, p. 2;

3. ‘Eclectic Literary Society’, Glasgow Herald, 12 February 1844, p. 4;

4. ‘Eclectic Literary Society’, Glasgow Herald, 9 February 1846, p. 4;

5. ‘Eclectic Literary Society’, Glasgow Herald, 4 May 1846, p. 4;

6. (Also numerous newspaper articles: seeThe British Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/)

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

The Glasgow Citizen and Glasgow Herald is available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland in both hard copy and microfilm (check libraries for availability in both formats). Digitised issues are also available through theBritish Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

Eglinton Young Men’s Literary Association

Overview

This group belonged to the Eglinton Congregational Church, which was located on 341 Eglinton Street, south of the River Clyde, in the Laurieston area. (For more information on this area, seeGorbals, ‘ Glasgow. Laurieston Guide‘ on the ScotCities website). Designed by John Burnet, work was completed on the church in 1866 (for more information on Burnet, see ‘John Burnet (architect)‘ on Wikipedia). The building was demolished only in 2000.

Along with a list of office bearers, the Glasgow Post Office directory provides some basic information on this group:

‘The Association meets every Thursday evening during the session (October to April) at 8.15, in the Hall of Eglington Street Congregational Chapel.’

(‘Eglinton Young Men’s Literary Association’, ‘Literary and Scientific Societies,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1867, 1868… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1867), p. 102)

Date of Existence

1867?-?

Source of Information

‘Eglinton Young Men’s Literary Association’, ‘Literary and Scientific Societies,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1867, 1868… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1867), p. 102

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Fingalian Club

Overview

Along with a list of its office bearers, the Glasgow Post Office directory for 1856 to 1857 gives a brief summary of this club:

‘Its objects are to excite in its members (who must be Highlanders) a taste for mutual improvement; to cherish in them a love of History, Literature, and the Sciences, through the medium of meetings, for the delivery of Lectures, reading of Essays, and other communications; and also to form and secure for their behoof a select Gaelic and English Library. Meetings are held weekly in Hope Street Free Church Session House, on Wednesday evenings at 8 o’clock; half-yearly (for the election of directors) on the first Wednesdays of April and October; and annual general on Old New-Year’s- Day.’

(‘Fingalian Club’, ‘Educational and Literary Institutions’,Post-Office Glasgow Directory for 1856, 1857… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1856), p. 85)

Date of Existence

1855-?

Source of Information

‘Fingalian Club’, ‘Educational and Literary Institutions’, Post-Office Glasgow Directory for 1856, 1857… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1856), p. 85

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Overview

This society was based at Anderston Church on University Avenue in Glasgow’s West End. Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation. (For more information on this church, see Glasgow‘ — Anderston‘ on the Ecclegen website.) Meetings were held on Friday evenings at the church.

The information on this group comes predominantly from their society manuscript magazine (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). According to the article, ‘Memorandum for the Curious’, the society met fortnightly from January until June 1849, and from then on, they met weekly. The average attendance is also listed for the yearly sessions running from 1851 until 1871, and during this period it was around 20 (‘Memorandum for the Curious’, The Literary Bond, Vol. 12, No. 1, October 1872). In the 1871-72 session, the Annual Report gives the following as its then current state of membership: 14 Honorary Members; 3 Correspondent Members; and 49 Ordinary Members (‘Report. Session 1871-72. Read at Annual Meeting 2nd Octr. 1872’,The Literary Bond, Vol. 11, No. 2, November 1872, [pp. 9-21, p. 20].

There are 15 bound volumes ofThe Literary Bond, and 2 bound volumes ofThe Literary Magazine, its successor. Like other literary society magazines, these were also miscellanies containing contributions on a wide range of subjects.

Date of Existence

1849-1897?

Source of Information

1. ‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’, Glasgow Post- Office Annual Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79; 2. The Literary Bond: the Mitchell Library has Vol. 2 (Sept. 1862) – Vol. 13 (Dec. 1875), Vol. 16, No. 1 (Oct. 1876) – Vol. 19, No. 6 (March 1880), and Vol. 21, No. 1 (Oct. 1881) – Vol. 22, No. 6 (March 1883) (Vols. 14, 15 and 20 no longer extant?); The Literary Magazine: the Mitchell Library has Vol. 1, No. 1 (Jan. 1896) – Vol. 2, No. 2 (Feb. 1897) (MLSC)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (magazines, and Glasgow Post Office directory)

National Library of Scotland (Glasgow Post Office directory)

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 891310-11; Dewey Class: 820.80941443 (MLSC) (magazines)

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

See also entry for The Literary Bond of Free Anderston Church Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Free Church Students’ Literary Association Overview

This association met on Friday evenings at 7.30 in the Greek Class Room of the Free Church Presbytery House, which was located on Holmhead Street. Its object (i.e. the purpose for meeting) was its members’ intellectual as well as religious and moral improvement. Members were students of the United Free Church College, or were approved to become members by a general vote. (For more information about the Free Church College, see ‘Glasgow College of the United Free Church of Scotland‘, on the GASHE (Gateway to Archives of Scottish Higher Education) website.) The subscription fee was rather low, being only 1s per year.

According to the membership rolls, in 1869, the year of the association’s founding, there were 64 Ordinary Members, and in the following session (November 1869-April 1870), there were 57 members. This dropped to 37 in the subsequent year, when the association was dissolved.

In the first session from January until March 1869, the essays and debates were restricted to religious issues and debates on doctrine, but the subsequent years saw a more eclectic mix of subjects — including authors, their works and literature more generally — which was the norm for literary societies throughout the nineteenth century.

Date of Existence

15 January 1869-21 November 1871

Source of Information

Minute-book of Free Church Students’ Literary Association. Glasgow, 1869-1871 (Treasurer’s documents, letters, syllabuses in pocket) (12 items total)

Repository

University of Glasgow Special Collections

Reference Number

MS Gen 898

Additional Notes

Full description of 12 items is available on theUniversity of Glasgow Special Collections Manuscripts Catalogue.

Free College Church Association

Overview

To date, there is little known about this society. The information that we have comes from the minute book of the Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association: the Free College Church Association was scheduled to take part in a Parliamentary Debate with Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association on 18 February 1896.

Date of Existence

1895?-?

Source of Information

(Mentioned in minute book of the Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association: Syllabus, 1895-96 [next to minute entry, 1 November 1895], Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association, Minute Book, 1892-1896)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

(See Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association, Minute Book, CH3/1238/2)

Additional Notes

See also Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association, with whom they had a Parliamentary Debate. Free East Campbell Literary Society

Overview

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of the East Campbell Street Free Church (East Campbell Street is just off of Gallowgate, to the east of Saltmarket in the city centre). (For more information on this church, see ‘Glasgow — East Campbell Street‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

There is little currently known about this society. The only information we have comes from the Glasgow Post Office Directory for 1853-1854, which lists this group as part of the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1853?-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’,Glasgow Post- Office Annual Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

Free Gorbals Literary Society

Overview

This group was located in the Gorbals, in the south side of Glasgow. Members might have belonged to the East Gorbals Free Church (previously and subsequently known as Gorbals Parish Church or the Parish Church of Gorbals), on Calton Place, which was the home of the area’s Free Church congregation between January 1853 and 1863 (see ‘Gorbals, Glasgow. Laurieston Guide‘ on the ScotCities website; see also ‘Glasgow — Victoria‘, on the Ecclegen website).

Date of Existence

1853?-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’,Glasgow Post- Office Annual Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

– Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

Free Renfield Literary Society (currently unknown if this is same society as Young Men’s Association (Renfield Street United Presbyterian Church))

Overview

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of the Renfield Free Church, located on the corner of Renfield Street and Gordon Street in the city centre. (For more information on this church, seeGlasgow ‘ — Renfield‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

Date of Existence

1853?-?

Source of Information ‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’,Glasgow Post- Office Annual Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

Free St. David’s Literary Society

Overview

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of St. David’s Free Church, located on Frederick Street in the city centre. (For more information on this church, see ‘Frederick Street UP Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website; see also ‘Glasgow — St. David’s‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

Date of Existence 1853?-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’,Glasgow Post- Office Annual Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

Free St. George’s Literary Association

Overview

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of Free St. George’s Church, located on Bath Street in the city centre. (For more information on this church, see ‘Glasgow — St. George’s‘ on the Ecclegen website.) There is little currently known about this society. The information we have comes primarily from the Glasgow Post Office Directory for 1853-1854, which lists this group as part of the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). In addition, the Sandyford Church Literary Association report states that the Sandyford society held a joint debate with members of the Free St. George’s Literary Association.

Date of Existence

1853?-1883?

Source of Information

1. ‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’, Glasgow Post- Office Annual Directory for 1853-1854 (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79;

2. (Mentioned in ‘Extract from Report submitted to the Fifth Annual meeting of Sandyford Church Literary Association, 7th April 1884’, which is the last article in the Sandyford Church Literary Association MS Magazine (1883))

Repository

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Post Office directory)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (magazine)

Reference Number

642424 (MLSC) (magazine)

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

See also Sandyford Church Literary Association and The Park Literary Institution, with whom this society held joint debates.

Overview

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of St. John’s Free Church, located on George Street in the city centre. (For more information on this church, see ‘St John’s Free Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website; see also ‘Glasgow — St. John’s‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

There is little currently known about this society. The information we have comes from the Glasgow Post Office Directory for 1853-1854, which lists the society’s representatives in the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union (see below), a programme for their annual soiree, and a short listing in the ‘General Directory’ of the 1867-1868 Post Office directory.

This group was one of 12 societies that made up the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union in 1853 (at least) (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1853?-1867?

Source of Information

1. ‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’, Glasgow Post- Office Annual Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79;

2. ‘Soiree’, Free St. John’s Young Men’s Association, programme, 21 April 1859 [annotated];

3. ‘Free St. John’s Young Men’s Association’, ‘General Directory’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1867, 1868… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1867), p. 151

Repository

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Post Office directories)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (programme)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Glasgow Post Office directories)

Reference Number

Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 5, p. 122 (MLSC) (programme)

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

Free St. Luke’s Literary Society

Overview

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of St. Luke’s Free Church, which at this time was installed in a new church built for them on Great Hamilton Street (now London Road, SE) in Glasgow’s East End. (For more information on this church, see ‘St. Luke’ & St. Andrew’s Church of Scotland‘ on the East Glasgow History website; see also ‘Glasgow — St. Luke’s‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

There is little currently known about this society. The information we have comes from the Glasgow Post Office Directory for 1853-1854, which lists the society’s representatives in the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union (see below). This group was one of 12 societies that made up the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union in 1853 (at least) (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1853?-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’,Glasgow Post- Office Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

Free St. Mark’s Literary Society

Overview

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of St. Mark’s Free Church, located at 161 Main Street, Anderston, an area to the west of Glasgow’s city centre. (For more information on this church, seeGlasgow ‘ — St. Mark’s‘ on the Ecclegen website. For more information about the Anderston area, see Michael Moss’s article, ‘Industrial Revolution: 1770s to 1830s. Neighbourhoods. Anderston‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

This group was one of 12 societies that made up the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union in 1853 (at least) (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1853?-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’,Glasgow Post- Office Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

Overview

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of St. Matthew’s Free Church, located at the west end of Bath Street, to the west of the city centre. (For more information on this church, see ‘St Matthew’s Highlanders’ Memorial Church’ on The Glasgow Story website; see also ‘Glasgow — St. Matthew’s‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

This group was one of 12 societies that made up the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union in 1853 (at least) (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1853?-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’,Glasgow Post- Office Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853) p. 79

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

See also Berkeley Street United Presbyterian Church Literary Association, as this society held a joint meeting with the Free St. Matthew’s Young Men’s Christian Association (it is currently unknown if this group is the same as or part of the Free St. Matthew’s Literary Society).

See also Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association, with whom this society held at least one joint debate.

Free St. Peter’s Young Men’s Association (later became Free St. Peter’s Literary Society)

Overview

Members of this society were part of the congregation of St. Peter’s Free Church, located at 53 Mains Street (now Blythswood Street), off Argyle Street in the city centre. (For more information on this church, see John Goodwin’s History of Free St Peter’s Church (1886) — Goodwin was a former President of the Association; see also ‘Glasgow — St. Peter’s‘ on the Ecclegen website.) The Young Men’s Association had a relatively good-sized number of members in 1850: from Goodwin’s history of the church, we know that there were at least 48 members in that year. The group met weekly at the church session house from September to May to read and discuss papers written by members of the society. Interestingly, the Geological Society of Glasgow developed out of this young men’s association.

A motion to start a manuscript magazine in connection with the society was raised in 1858. It is currently unknown if a magazine was ever founded at this early date. A magazine was started by the later Young Men’s Literary Society — instituted circa 1860 — and was produced until at least 1883 (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

This group was one of 12 societies that made up the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union in 1853 (at least) (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1843-1886?

Source of Information

1. Fergusson, Alex. A., St. Rollox, Glasgow, [Diaries], 1851-53, 1854-56 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL), 891398-99);

2. Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions’,Glasgow Post-Office Annual Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79;

3. Free St. Peter’s Young Men’s Literary Society, Behind the Scenes, A Special New Year’s Number of Blythswood Holm M. S. Magazine, January 1871 (MLSC, 321129, GO52 BLY);

4. Free St Peter’s Literary Society magazine. 1883 (Dunn & Wright, [1883?]) (UGSC, Sp Coll Robertson Bf68-b.23);

5. Goodwin, John, History of Free St Peter’s Church, Glasgow: with personal reminiscences, from origin till jubilee (Glasgow: Printed by James C. Erskine, 1886) (ML, Mitchell (GC) CD285.241443 STP 761767)

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

Free St Peter’s Literary Society magazine. 1883, is housed at the University of Glasgow Special Collections and is item 8 of 9 in the bound collection of materials.

See also entry for Blythswood Holm M.S. Magazine, ‘Behind the Scenes’, A special New Year’s Number; later Free St Peter’s Literary Society Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Gaelic Society of Glasgow (not same as Gaelic Club)

Overview

The Glasgow Post Office directory for 1906-1907 provides a list of this society’s objects, its membership requirements, along with its subscription fees:

‘[…] The objects of the Society are: — The cultivation of the Gaelic Language; the cultivation and development of Celtic Philology, Literature, and Music; the elucidation of Celtic antiquities; and the fostering of a Celtic spirit among the Highlanders of Glasgow. Persons of Celtic extraction, or such as take an interest in its objects, are eligible to become members. The Subscriptions of Members to the Funds of the Society are: — Life Members, one payment of £1 1s.; Honorary Members, annually, Ladies 3s., Gentlemen 7s. 6d; Ordinary Members, annually — Ladies 1s., Gentlemen 2s. The Society meets in the Religious Institution Rooms, Buchanan Street, on the last Tuesday of each Month, from October to April.’ (‘Gaelic Society of Glasgow’, ‘Educational Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1906-1907… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1906), p. 171)

At meetings, papers were read on various subjects, but all of these were linked to Gaelic, Celtic or Highland life and culture, which included literature that was often read aloud. For example, at the meeting held on 31 January 1888, one or two excepts from “Caraid nan Gael” (Norman Macleod (Caraid nan Gaidheal?)) were read.

Date of Existence

26 October 1887-1974?

Source of Information

1. Gaelic Society of Glasgow, Cash Book, 1888-1935 (1 vol.); Minute Books, 1887-1909, 1924-48, 1948-74 (3 vols.) (MLSC, 891237);

2. Gaelic Society of Glasgow, Transactions, 1887-1894; 1956/7 (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 941.15006041443 GAE 155056);

3. Gaelic Society of Glasgow, Jubilee brochure, 1887-1937 (1937) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 367 767302);

4. Maclean, Magnus, Skye bards: paper read before the Gaelic Society of Glasgow (1892) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 200826);

5. ‘Gaelic Society of Glasgow’, ‘Educational Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1906-1907… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1906), p. 171;

6. Gaelic Society of Glasgow, Centenary brochure, [1987](MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 941.15006041443 GAE)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

– Gas Workmen’s Institution

Overview

The information on this society comes from two issues ofThe Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine. The May 7th issue for 1825 provides a good overview of this group:

‘The Gas Workmen’s Institution. – Out of these public associations has arisen one upon a more confined but most useful plan, applicable to every large manufactory. The Gas Light Company’s men, between 60 and 70 in number, have formed themselves, on the suggestion of Mr. J. Neilson the manager, into a society for mutual instruction; laying by a small sum monthly, they have collected about 300 volumes, and the Company giving them a library room, which they light and heat, the men meet every other evening, to converse upon literary and scientific subjects, and once a week to lecture; any one who chooses, giving a fortnight’s notice that he will treat on some subject which he has been studying. The books are of all kinds, with the exception of theology, which, from the various sects the men belong to, is of necessity excluded […]’.

(‘History of Mechanics’ Institutions. Glasgow. The Gas Workmen’s Institution’,The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine; and Annals of Philosophy, Vol. III, No. LXXII, 7 May 1825, pp. 216-7)

Date of Existence

1825-?

Source of Information

1.‘History of Mechanics’ Institutions. Glasgow. The Gas Workmen’s Institution’,The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine; and Annals of Philosophy, Vol. III, No. LXXII, 7 May 1825, pp. 216-7;

2. ‘Glasgow Gas Workman’s Institution. Re-opened for the Season. Introductory Address’, The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine; and Annals of Philosophy, Vol. IV, No. XCVII, 29 October 1825, pp. 169-72 Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 19 GLA 52873

Additional Notes

See also University Printing Office Literary & Scientific Institution. The staff at the University Printing Office of the University of Glasgow followed the model set by the Gas Workmen’s Institution (1825-?) in setting up their own institution.

For full holdings of The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine, apply to staff at Mitchell Library Special Collections.

Glasgow Addisonian Literary Society

Overview

Alexander Smith (1829-1867) was a well-known working-class Scottish poet, and was one of the founding members and Secretary of this society. (For more information on Smith, see, for example, Alexander‘ Smith (1829 – 1867)‘ on the Scottish Poetry Library website.) Named after Joseph Addison (1672-1719), co-founder of the influential magazine, The Spectator, this mutual improvement group consisted of approximately a dozen young men who met on Saturday evenings in a coffee house in Candleriggs (in Merchant City, in the heart of the city centre).

Date of Existence

22 May 1847-1852

Source of Information

1. Glasgow Addisonian Literary Society, Minute Book (Note: currently unknown if this is still housed at Dick Institute, Kilmarnock (20/09/17)); 2. Brisbane, T., The Early Years of Alexander Smith, Poet and Essayist. A Study for Young Men, Chiefly Reminiscences of Ten Years’ Companionship (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1869) (ML, Mitchell (GC) 821.8 SMI 9/BRI 31794);

3. Kilpatrick, James A., Literary Landmarks of Glasgow (Glasgow: Saint Mungo Press, 1893), p. 248 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) KIL);

4. Berry, Simon, Applauding Thunder: Life, Work and Critics of Alexander Smith (Inverness: FTTR Press, 2013), [passim] (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 821.8 SMI 9/BER);

5. ‘Alexander Smith Wikipedia(poet)’, [accessed 20/08/17];

6. (Note: several newspaper clippings throughout Young’s Scrapbooks (various volumes, e.g. Vol. 12, pp. 4-5; Vol. 14, p. 13-15) on Smith (MLSC)

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Dick Institute, Kilmarnock

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

–

Glasgow and District Burns Club (aka Glasgow and District Burns Club Association, aka Glasgow and District Association of Burns Clubs and Kindred Societies) (currently unclear if this is same as Glasgow And West of Scotland Burns Club Association)

Overview

This club was made up of several local and regional Burns clubs: in 1908, one year after its founding, there were 23 clubs, and the group grew to include 40 clubs by 1914. It met at various venues across Glasgow including the National Burns Club (93 Douglas Street), the Trades House Restaurant (89 Glassford Street), theChristian Institute (Bothwell Street), and the Religious Institution Rooms (200 Buchanan Street). Meetings were held intermittently during the year. The 1911Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory published the group’s objects under its ‘Special features of Club’:

‘To further the interests of the Burns cult by promoting closer union between the Clubs in the district and bringing the members of these Clubs into more harmonious relationship, and to take the initiative in instituting and recommending movements likely to be beneficial to the cult.’

(‘No. 169 — GLASGOW AND DISTRICT Association of Burns Clubs and Kindred Societies’, ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 176)

Date of Existence

8 November 1907-1919? Federated 1908

Source of Information 1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 179;

2. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 190;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 176;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 180;

5. Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 12 September 1912-30 April 1919 (MLSC, 891709);

6. Macmillan, Donald, Burns and the war: his message to the nation: an address delivered before the Glasgow and District Burns Association (Glasgow and District Burns Association, [1917]) (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 6 MCM 557275);

7. McArthur, Archie McArthur, Some Connections Between the City of Glasgow and Robert Burns, compiled by Archie McArthur ([Glasgow and District Burns Association], [1989]) (MLSC, Robert Burns Collection, Mitchell (AL) 11 GLA MCA 907616);

8. ‘Glasgow and District Association of Burns Clubs’,Jean Armour Burns Trust [accessed 27/01/18]

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

(For Mitchell Library Special Collections materials, see Source of Information; for Annual Burns Chronicle, see below)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle) General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Glasgow and West of Scotland Catholic Literary Association

Overview

There is little information currently known about this club. The details that we have come from the Glasgow Post Office directory, which lists the society’s patron, Office Bearers, object and subscription fee:

‘[…] Patron, His Grace Archbishop Eyre, LL.D. Office-bearers for 1899-1900 — President, M. J. Connell, B.A., LL.B.; vice-president, Mr. James W. Turnbull; treasurer, Mr. M.A. Boyle, secretaries, Messrs. E. Henry, 3 Roslea Drive, Dennistoun, and Arthur Meehan, St. Mungo’s Academy, Townhead, Glasgow. The Association is established for the purpose of promoting a series of lectures annually, and thereby furthering a knowledge of Catholic and general literature; for the intellectual advancement of its members; and for the better cultivation socialof [sic] intercourse amongst Catholics. The course of lectures lasts from October until April each year, meeting weekly. During the summer occasional visits are made to localities of archaeological and historical interest. The Annual Subscription is 2s. 6d.’

(‘Glasgow and West of Scotland Catholic Literary Association’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1899-1900… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1899), p. 174)

Date of Existence

1890-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow and West of Scotland Catholic Literary Association’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1899-1900… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1899), p. 174

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Glasgow Arbroath Association Overview

Arbroath is a town in Angus, and is northeast of Dundee. (For more information on the town, see ‘Arbroath‘ on Undiscovered Scotland website.) This society is a type of nineteenth-century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

There is little information currently known about this group. The details that we have come from the Glasgow Post Office directory, which lists its objects, patrons and Office Bearers:

‘The objects of this Association are — To assist natives of Arbroath in obtaining lodgings or situations in Glasgow; to relieve temporarily, by pecuniary or other aid, deserving and necessitous Arbroathians, resident in or passing through Glasgow; to promote the intellectual improvement of the members, and to cultivate social and friendly intercourse, by literary and other meetings. Patrons — D. Corsar, Esq., J.P., The Elms, Arbroath; John Tullis, Esq., Inchcape, Dennistoun. Hon. Presidents — J. Wylie Guild, Esq., C.A.; J. Stephen, Esq., Wm. Jolly, Esq., F.R.S.E., F.G.S., D. S. Salmond, Esq., J. M. M’Bain, Esq. Hon Secretary — Thos. Mason. President — J. Winton Mackie. Vice-presidents — A. W. Anderson and W. R. Calder. Directors — J. L. Brewster, James Burnett, H. Croall, W. M. Brown, D. Knowles, Arthur Hovell, J. Carragher, H. M’Bain, D. P. Taylor, Jas. R M. Smith, John A. Peebles, David Simpson. Treasurer — G. B. Croall. Secretary — G.D. Ferguson, 10 Mauldslie Pl., Partick.’

(‘Glasgow Arbroath Association’, ‘Religious and Friendly Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1886-1887…(Glasgow: William MacKenzie, 1886), p. 110)

Date of Existence

1877-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Arbroath Association’, ‘Religious and Friendly Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1886-1887…(Glasgow: William MacKenzie, 1886), p. 110

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Glasgow Athenaeum French Literary Club

Overview

Modeled on the Manchester Athenaeum, the Glasgow Athenaeum was founded in 1847 as a literary an scientific institution. (For more information about this organisation, see ‘Athenaeum opening‘ on The Glasgow Story website, and ‘Administrative / Biographical History‘ for the ‘Records of the Glasgow Athenaeum Commercial College / Glasgow and West of Scotland Commercial College / Scottish College of Commerce’ on the Archives Hub website, which includes details of the records which are part of holdings of the University of Strathclyde Archives.)

There is little information currently known about this society. The details that we have come from the Glasgow Post Office directory, which lists its office bearers, club object, the frequency of its meetings, and an overview of its activities: ‘ […] Hon. president, C.A. Chardenal; hon. vice-president, Timothy Bost; president, Georges Emile Barbier; vice-president, Jas S. Docherty; minute secretary, R. D. Maclean; corresponding secretary and treasurer, John Newlands, 93 Candleriggs. The object of this club is to encourage the study of the French language and literature, and to promote fluency of speech in French among its members. Meetings are held weekly from September to March, in the Athenaeum buildings, at which papers are read and criticised.’

(‘Glasgow Athenaeum French Literary Club’, ‘Educational Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1888-1889… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1888), p. 126)

Date of Existence

1888?-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Athenaeum French Literary Club’, ‘Educational Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1888-1889… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1888), p. 126

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Overview

The founder and first President of this club was William Freeland, who served from 1876 to 1903. There were 11 original members.

The Glasgow Post Office directory for 1902-1903 gives a good overview of this club and its activities:

‘[…] The club meets during the session (October to May) in the North British Station Hotel, George Square, on the second Saturday of each month, at eight o’clock p.m. Object — The production and friendly criticism of original ballads and poems, and the study of ballads and ballad literature.’

(‘Glasgow Ballad Club’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1902-1903… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1902), p. 177)

Date of Existence

11 November 1876-10 October 1987

Source of Information

1. (Newspaper clipping) ‘The Looker-on’, (annotated:) ‘Evening News. 1 May 1899.’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks Vol. 2, p. 90; Glasgow Scrapbooks, Vol. 2, pp. 38-39);

2. (Newspaper clipping:) G.E.T. [George Eyre-Todd], ‘Glasgow Ballad Club’, (annotated:) ‘The Scots Pictorial. 15 Jany. 1902. Geo. Eyre-Todd’) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks Vol. 6, pp. 39-40);

3. ‘Glasgow Ballad Club’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1902-1903… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1902), p. 177;

4. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘The Late Robert Ford. Poet and Humorist’, (annotated:) ‘Weekly Herald. 4 Nov. 1905’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 12, p. 5);

5. (Newspaper clipping:) (Death of Robert Ford), (annotated:) ‘Herald. 4 Nov 1905. See pp. 80.81. Vol. 9’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 12, pp. 5-6);

6. (Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Third Volume of Glasgow Ballad Club in the Press […] Herald. 11 Jany. 1908’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 18, p. 20);

7.(Newspaper clipping:) ‘Glasgow Ballad Club. Presentation to Mr Johnston’, (annotated:) ‘Herald. 19 Jany. 1914’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 37, pp. 24-5);

8. (Photograph, annotated:) ‘William Freeland. Poet and Journalist’ (founder of Ballad Club) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 39, p. 74);

9. Hammerton, John Alexander, Literary Glasgow, Past and Present (London: 1904), pp. 638-39; pp.728-31 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 820.9 230247);

10. Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century (Glasgow: The Photo- Biographical Publishing Co., [1901]), p. 186 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 920.04 GLA499009)

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Willliam Young (whose Scrapbooks the Mitchell Library Special Collections holds) was a member of the Glasgow Ballad Club and The Thirteen Club, along with several other societies not considered in this project.

Alexander Lamont (head-master of one of the local schools in the 1880s at least, and published author) was a member of this club, as well as theWellpark Free Church Literary Society, and the Sir Walter Scott Club.

Glasgow Bankers’ Debating and Literary Society

Overview

The evidence for this society comes from the ‘Preface’ to William Graham’s Deirdre: A Scoto-Irish Romance of the First Century A.D. (1908), which states:

‘The larger portion of the following compilation was read to the Glasgow Bankers’ Debating and Literary Society in December last, and has been allowed to retain much of its original form, with the addition of some explanatory notes, where these seemed necessary.’

In the copy housed in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow, there’s a handwritten note pasted in from Graham to C. S. Romaines [?], 1911, which was sent with the book: he says the material in the book was ‘read to the newly formed Glasgow Bankers Literary Association as a kind of simple object lesson, of how they might employ themselves when off on holiday in taking an interest in the things around them’ [because the book traces the landscape etc of this Irish legend in Scotland].

Date of Existence

1907 or 1908-?

Source of Information

William Graham, Deirdre: A Scoto-Irish Romance of the First Century A.D. (Edinburgh: J. Gardner Hitt, 1908)

Repository

Mitchell Library, Scottish Poetry Library

Reference Number

P249

Additional Notes

The information on this society has been kindly provided by Kirstie Blair (University of Strathclyde). Glasgow Border Counties’ Literary Society

Overview

This society is a type of nineteenth-century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

The details that we have about this society come from a magazine that was produced by its members in manuscript (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). From this, we know that the society was associated with the Glasgow Border Counties Association. The President was D. Paton, Vice-President was D. Moffat, and Secretary was R. W. Carrie. The Editor of the magazine was John Wallace.

The ‘Editorial’ for the volume sets out the society’s objects, which were to provide a place where Borderers could meet and discuss ideas — with the implication that this would lead to ‘improvement’ — and to share their memories for their former homes.

Date of Existence

1885-1887?

Source of Information

Glasgow Border Counties’ Literary Society’s Manuscript Magazine, 1885-87

Repository

Scottish Borders Archive and Local History Centre, Heritage Hub, Hawick Reference Number

GB1097/SC/M/28

Additional Notes

Volumes I and II are bound together.

See also entry for Glasgow Border Counties’ Literary Society’s Manuscript Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Glasgow Bute Literary Institute

Overview

Bute, or the Isle of Bute, is an island in the Firth of Clyde. Bute is also a county that comprises this island and number of surrounding islands. This society is a type of nineteenth-century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

The information on this society comes from theirFirst Annual Report for their 1876-1877 session (October through March). There are 39 members listed on the roll. Membership was open to young men from the Isle of Bute who had moved to Glasgow. A meeting was held at Aitken’s Temperance Hotel, Argyle Street, on 20 March 1876 to discuss the formation of a new society.

According to this report, members met weekly on Tuesday evenings from October until March at 8pm at the Washington Temperance Hotel (located on Sauchiehall Street) for the purpose of encouraging study and self-education. Date of Existence

3 October 1876-?

Source of Information

First Annual Report of the Glasgow Bute Literary Institute [1876-77] (Glasgow: K. & R. Davidson, Printers, 1877)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Mitchell (GC) 806 26180

Additional Notes

–

Glasgow Caithness Literary Association (aka Glasgow Caithness Literary Society)

Overview

Caithness is a county in the far north of Scotland. This society is a type of nineteenth- century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

This society developed out of the Glasgow Caithness Benevolent Association (1875?-1961?). At a meeting of the Benevolent Association held on 8 August 1882, a discussion took place regarding the formation of a literary society in connection with the association; a motion was called and passed unanimously. In the ‘Constitution and Rules’ that were subsequently drawn up, the society’s object (i.e. purpose for meeting) was given as being the intellectual improvement of its members.

While this society was based in Glasgow, their records are housed in Caithness Archives in Wick.

Date of Existence

19 September 1882-1931?

Source of Information

1. Glasgow Caithness Literary Association, Minute Books 1-4, 1882-1931 (CAC, P294/2/1-4);

2. (See: Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association, Annual Report, 1897-98 (p. 3) (SA, D58/4a/9));

3. (See: Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association, Annual Report, 1898-99 (p. 2) (SA, D58/4a/10));

4. (See: Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association, Annual Report 1900-01 (p. 2) (SA, D58/1/5));

5. (See: Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association, Annual Report 1903-1904 (p. 3) (SA, D58/4a/12));

6. Glasgow Caithness Benevolent Association Centenary Souvenir 1836-1936 (CAC, P8/1/5);

7. Portfolio of Portraits. A Souvenir of the Opening Ceremony (CAC, P8/1/4(1-2));

8. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘Glasgow Caithness Benevolent Association’,Northern Ensign, 31 January 1905 (CAC, P8/1/1);

9. (Unsigned manuscript poem:) ‘Glasgow Caithness Literary Society’ (CAC, P8/2/1) Repository

Shetland Archives (SA)

Caithness Archive Centre, now Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives, Wick (CAC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association

‘Glasgow’s Literary Bonds’ would like to thank Ken Ross for kindly sharing additional information and photos of historic materials of the Glasgow Benevolent Association.

Glasgow Carlton Burns Club

Overview

Carlton is a district in the east end of Glasgow. (For more information about this area, see Gordon Adams’s article, ‘Carlton’ on the East Glasgow History website.)

This club met on the first Tuesday of the month between October and April. Meetings were held at M’Culloch’s Restaurant (109 Argyle Street), and later at Sloan’s Arcade Café (108 Argyll Street). There were 60 members in 1896, and their club grew over the years, rising to 103 members by 1914. The 1904 Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory lists its objects under the ‘Special features of the Club’:

‘[…] the perpetuation of the memory of Burns, and the intellectual and social intercourse of its members by such means as may from time to time be agreed upon.’

(‘No. 67. — GLASGOW Carlton Burns Club’, ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 141)

Interestingly, this club — in conjunction with the Rosebery Burns Club — issued a volume of the works of Robert Burns in braille (‘Club Notes’, ‘Carlton Burns Club’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, 1915), p. 175)

Date of Existence

February 1894-? Federated 1894

Source of Information

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1895), p. 179;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 135;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1898), p. 142;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1899’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1899), p. 159;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 141;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), pp. 151-2; 8. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 167

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 14A MEM 472108 (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See Rosebery Burns Club.

Glasgow Carrick Burns Club Overview

Carrick is a district that is now part of South Ayrshire. Members of this Burns club were presumably from this area but had since settled in Glasgow. In the 1890s, the club had 40 members on the roll, and met weekly on Saturday nights at 62 Glassford Street in the city centre (listed as the business address of William Morrison, wine and spirit merchant, in the Glasgow Post Office directory). Later, members would meet monthly on the last Tuesday of each month. By 1905, the number of members had dropped to 30.

The object of the club was the ‘Study of Burns and Kindred Literature’ (‘No. 34. — GLASGOW Carrick Burn Club’, ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), p. 148).

Date of Existence

25 January 1859-2005? Federated 1887

Source of Information

2. ‘Burns Club celebrates its 113th year’,Carrick Gazette, 7 October 2005 [accessed 23/09/15];

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies for 1893’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. II (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., Glasgow and Edinburgh: J. Menzies & Co., January 1893), p. 190;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 194;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1895), p. 175; 6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 132;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1903’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1903), p. 145;

8. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock, Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 138;

9. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), p. 148

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Overview

This club’s object was ‘[t]o promote the study of Burns’s works and other literary and social subjects’.

(‘No. 145. -GLASGOW Central Burns Club and Literary Society, Ltd.’, ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1907), p. 172)

It was a fairly large club in the early twentieth century: in 1906, it had over 200 members, with ‘nearly 300’ on the roll in the following year. The club met at 3 Dundas Street in the city centre, and its Club rooms were described as ‘large and commodious, and are supplied with billiards, bagatelle, and other games, newspapers, and a library’ (‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), pp. 162-63).

The frequency and type of meetings varied: in 1906, the club had quarterly meetings in addition to their monthly meetings, while in 1907, it had ‘Committee meetings every fortnight (Tuesdays); Smoking Concert and Lecture alternately on Fridays assisted by professionals from the various places of entertainment in city’ (‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907’, p. 172).

Date of Existence

1905-? Federated 18 August 1905

Source of Information 1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906′, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), pp. 162-63;

2.’Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907′, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1907), p. 172;

3.’Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 175

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Overview

This society is particularly interesting as some of its members were ministers of churches that later ‘came out’ in 1843; that is, their congregations broke away from the established church in what is known as the Disruption of 1843, when the Church of Scotland was divided in two, and the Free Church of Scotland was formed.

In 1826, there were 33 Ordinary Members, with one name in this list being scored out at some point, and six Honorary Members. Members hailed not only from various places in and around Glasgow — from Anderston, Shettleston and the city centre — but from Bothwell and from Blantyre (both located southeast of Glasgow, near Hamilton), Strathblane (approximately 10 miles north), as well as from Paisley (approximately 10 miles to the west) Greenock (about 25 miles west) and Helensburgh (approximately 30 miles to the northwest). Some of the members have the church to which they belonged to next to their name. For example, Mr James Henderson was listed as being from St Enoch’s Church in Glasgow. (For more information about this church and Henderson, see ‘Glasgow — St Enoch’s‘ on the Ecclegen website, and ‘St. Enoch’s Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website.)

The group met on the second Wednesday of each month. Similarly to other literary societies, this group met to listen to lectures given by guest speakers and (non-fiction) essays written by society members, and to discuss current events and issues. Among the papers that were read aloud were essays entitled ‘On the Organic remains of a former world’, ‘The connection between prayer and ministerial duty and usefulness’, and ‘On the general state of Geology & on earthquakes’. The subjects discussed were by and large based on religious matters, and issues and debates on religious doctrine.

Date of Existence

1826-1839?

Source of Information

Glasgow Clerical Literary Society Minute Book, 1826-39

Repository Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Baillie’s Library, 35790 (G 206 CLE)

Additional Notes

–

Glasgow Coleridge Club

Overview

There is very little information currently known about this society. The only details we have come from the minutes of the Glasgow Addisonian Literary Society, a group discussed in Simon Berry’s Applauding Thunder (2013).

According to Berry, in 1848, the Glasgow Coleridge Club had a joint soiree with the Glasgow Addisonian Literary Society. It seems the two groups were planning on amalgamating, but this did not come to fruition.

To date, we have not been able to track down the current location of the Addisonian Literary Society minute book.

Date of Existence

1848?-?

Source of Information

Berry, Simon, Applauding Thunder: Life, Work and Critics of Alexander Smith (Inverness: FTTR Press, 2013), p. 35

Repository Mitchell Library

Reference Number

SP 821.8 SMI 9/BER

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow Addisonian Literary Society

Glasgow Cowal Society, Literary Department

Overview

The name for this society refers to Cowal, a peninsula in Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands, thus its members were almost certainly from the Highlands.

This group is a type of nineteenth-century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

The Glasgow Post Office directory for 1903-1904 lists this society’s objects:

‘Its objects are (1) the intellectual and social improvement of the members, and (2) the relief of decayed and indigent individuals who are natives of the district of Cowal, and families or widows of natives resident within a circuit of five miles of Royal Exchange [in the city centre].’

(‘Glasgow Cowal Society’, ‘Charitable and Friendly Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1903-1904… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1903), p. 173)

Date of Existence

1865-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Twentieth Annual Report of the Glasgow Cowal Society’, 24 April 1885 (MLSC, Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 23, p. 193);

2. Glasgow Cowal Society, ‘Syllabus, 1885-86’, with Office Bearers for same (MLSC, Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 23, p. 194);

3. ‘The Natives of Cowal’, Glasgow Herald, 17 February 1866, p. 6;

4. Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century (Glasgow: The Photo- Biographical Publishing Co., [1901]), p. 196 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 920.04 GLA 499009);

5. ‘Glasgow Cowal Society’, ‘Charitable and Friendly Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1903-1904… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1903), p. 173

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

The Glasgow Herald is available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland in both hard copy and microfilm (check libraries for availability in both formats). Digitised issues are also available through theBritish Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ Glasgow Daisy Burns Club

Overview

There is not much currently known about this Burns club. The details we have come from the 1912 Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory. The group met at the Christian Institute on Bothwell Street (to the west of the city centre) on the second Wednesday of each month at 8pm. This club was clearly a pro-temperance group, as it makes clear in the listed objects of the club in the directory:

‘The cairrying furrit o’ the memory o’ oor ain Poet Rabbie Burns, and the better learning o’ its members, by sic weys as may frae ae time tae anither be faun’ suitable; in lectures, essays, short papers, and harmony nichts; and run on temperance principles.

(‘No. 206-GLASGOW Daisy Burns Club’, ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 186)

Date of Existence

13 September 1911-? Federated 14 October 1911

Source of Information

‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 186

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Glasgow Dickens Society

Overview

The Glasgow Post Office directory for 1908-1909 provides an overview of this society:

‘The objects and aims of the Society are: — (1) To knit together in a common bond of friendship lovers of that great master of humour and pathos, Charles Dickens, and to encourage a more general study of his works; (2) To spread the love of humanity and to help in every possible direction the cause of the poor and the oppressed which is the key note of all his works. Life Membership subscription, £1 1s.; annual subscription, 2s. 6d. […].’

(‘The Glasgow Dickens Society’, ‘Educational Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1908-1909… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1908), p. 1778)

Among the charitable works of this society was the raising of money for the annual dinner, or ‘The Annual Treat’, in order to give children of the poor a Christmas meal.

According to an article in theGlasgow Herald in 1909, the Honorary President reported there were 100 members when the society was founded, and the number had since grown to 450.

Date of Existence

1906 (newspaper article give 7 February 1907) -1950?

Source of Information

1. ‘The Glasgow Dickens Society’, ‘Educational Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1908-1909… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1908), p. 1778;

3. ‘Dickens Anniversary. Glasgow Celebration’, Glasgow Herald, 11 February 1909, p. 12;

3. (Printed advertising circular, with subscription request form:) ‘The Annual Treat of the Glasgow Dickens Society to A Thousand Poor Children of Glasgow’, 21 December 1921 (MLSC, Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 23, p. 230);

4. ‘Jane Mitchell’, in Breakthrough: Autobiographical Accounts of the Education of Some Socially Disadvantaged Children, ed. by Ronald Goldman, Vol. 212 (London and New York: Routledge, 1968), pp. 124-41 (pp. 135-6)

Repository

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Post Office directory)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Glasgow Scrapbooks)

National Library of Scotland (Glasgow Post Office directory)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

The Glasgow Post Office directories are available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland. Digitised copies are available through the NLS website: https://www.nls.uk/family-history/directories/post-office/index.cfm?place=Gla sgow The Glasgow Herald is available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland in both hard copy and microfilm (check libraries for availability in both formats). Digitised issues are also available through theBritish Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

Glasgow Dundee Association for Literary and Social Purposes

Overview

There is little currently known about this society. The information we have comes from the Glasgow Post Office Directory for 1875-1876, which only provides a list of office bearers and the address of the association’s office in the city centre:

‘President, John A. Thomson, 8 Morris Place; vice-president, John Bowers, City Chambers; secretary, Frank Y. Henderson, 28 Renfield Street; office of the association, 28 Renfield Street.’

(‘Glasgow Dundee Association for Literary and Social Purposes’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1875-1876… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1875) p. 111)

Date of Existence

1875?-? Source of Information

‘Glasgow Dundee Association for Literary and Social Purposes’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1875-1876… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1875) p. 111

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Glasgow Foundry Boys’ Religious Society, Wellington Palace Branch

Overview

The Glasgow Foundry Boys Religious Society was instituted in 1865, two years before the founding of the Wellington Palace Branch. According to the ‘Plan of Tea Tables and Names of Branches’ in the 1900 ‘Souvenir Programme’ for the annual social dinner, there were (at least) 25 branches of the Glasgow Foundry Boys’ Religious Society in the city at that time. They were as follows:

Anderston Hall; St James’ Hall; City Hall; Rutherglen; Renwick Hall; Gordon Hall; Clyde Street Port Dundas; Victoria Hall; Christian Institute; Spoutmouth; St Andrew’s; Crossmyloof; Blackfriars; Possilpark; Church Branch; Portman Street; National Halls; St George’s; Finnieston Street; Osborne Halls; Cathcart; Lorne Hall; Shettleston; Church Place; and Doncaster Street.

It is currently unknown if there were also 25 literary societies attached to those groups.

The Glasgow Post Office directories for the early years of the twentieth century show that the Glasgow Foundry Boys Religious Society was a huge organisation whose quickly growing membership only began to decline at the start First World War. In 1902, it had on its rolls ‘16,861 lads and girls, and 1848 voluntary workers’ (‘Glasgow Foundry Boys’ Religious Society’, ‘Religious and Moral Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1902-1903… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1902), p. 151). The number of young men and women members rose to almost 18,000 in 1906, but by 1914, it had ‘14,652 lads and girls, and 1561 voluntary workers […] [with] 83 branches in the city and suburbs’ (‘Glasgow Foundry Boys Religious Society’, ‘Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1914-1915… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1914), p. 1793).

Wellington Palace was a public hall located at 11 Commercial Road, just south of the River Clyde (it would later be used as a music hall, and even later as a cinema; see ‘Wellington Palace‘ on the Scottish Cinemas and Theatres Project website). The information on the Wellington Palace Branch comes primarily from the society magazine, The Foundry Boy (see ‘Additional Notes’ below), which was written and produced by the members.

Date of Existence

1867-1914?

Source of Information

1. ‘Glasgow Foundry Boy’s Religious Society’, Glasgow Herald, 21 July 1866, p. 6;

2. ‘Glasgow Foundry Boys’ Religious Society — Hallow E’en Gathering’,Glasgow Herald, 3 November 1866, p. 2;

3. Glasgow Foundry Boys’ Religious Society, Scripture text book, 1870-1876 (Glasgow: [The Society], [1876?]) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC), 206 437839);

4. Annual Report, Glasgow Foundry Boys’ Religious Society (Glasgow: [The Society], 1880) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC), 206 46801);

5. Glasgow Foundry Boys’ Religious Society, The Foundry Boy, the Monthly Magazine of the Wellington Palace Branch (January-December 1886) (Glasgow: [The Society], 1886) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 206 98783);

6. ‘Souvenir Programme’ for Glasgow Foundry Boys Religious Society Annual Conversazione of Workers and Friends. In the City Hall, Enter By Albion Street, On Thursday Evening, 15th Nov., 1900′ (MLSC, Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 23, p. 212);

7. (Newspaper clipping on annual social meeting of the office-bearers and monitors) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, No. 9, p. 150-51);

8. (Numerous articles in Glasgow Herald on this and its parent society, see the British Newspaper Archive)

Repository

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Herald)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (Glasgow Herald)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also entry for The Foundry Boy on our sister website, Literary Bonds. Glasgow Free Church Literary Union

Overview

The Union was formed in 1850, seven years after the Disruption, when the Presbyterian church split in two. Its institution occurred during a period of active church building—and apparently society founding—by the newly-established Free Church.

In 1853, this group was composed of 12 literary societies that had formed in Free Church congregations across Glasgow (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). Societies elected representatives from amongst their own members to act as delegates to the Union meetings.

In addition to their own meetings that included lectures, readings, debates and social evenings, Free Church literary societies held joint meetings and debates with other members of the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union.

Date of Existence

1850-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions’,Glasgow Post-Office Annual Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79;

2. Goodwin, John, History of Free St. Peter’s Church, Glasgow: with Personal Reminiscences, from Origin till Jubilee (Glasgow: Printed by James C. Erskine, 1886), pp. 38+ (ML, Mitchell (GC) 285.241443 STP 761767);

3. ‘Free Church Literary Union’, The Scottish Guardian, 23, 25 April 1854, p. 1

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number (See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

This Union is made up of 12 literary societies. Each of these societies is listed separately.

See also: Free Anderston Church Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Society; Free East Campbell Literary Society; Free Gorbals Literary Society; Free Renfield Literary Society; Free St. David’s Literary Society; Free St. George’s Literary Association; Free St. John’s Literary Society; Free St. Luke’s Literary Society; Free St. Mark’s Literary Society; Free St. Matthew’s Literary Society; Free St. Peter’s Young Men’s Association; and Free Tron Literary Society.

The Scottish Guardian is available through theBritish Newspaper Archive )

Glasgow Free Tron Literary Society

Overview

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of the Free Tron Church in the city centre. (For more information on this church, seeGlasgow ‘ — Tron‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

There is little currently known about this society. The primary information we have comes from the Glasgow Post Office Directory for 1853-1854, which lists this group as part of the Glasgow Free Church Literary Union (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). Date of Existence

1853?-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Glasgow Free Church Literary Union’, ‘Local Institutions–Religious’, Glasgow Post- Office Annual Directory for 1853-1854… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1853), p. 79;

2. (Mentioned in Minute-Book of Free Church Students’ Literary Association: Minute- Book of the Free Church Students’ Literary Association, Glasgow, 1869-71 (UGSC, MS Gen898))

Repository

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Post Office directory)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Glasgow Post Office directory)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below)

Additional Notes

This society was part of theGlasgow Free Church Literary Union, which is listed separately.

Glasgow Haggis Club Overview

This Burns club was of a (purposefully) moderate size, limiting its membership to 40 in 1894, and expanding this only slightly to 50 in 1897. According to the 1904Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, it was a ‘social’ club that met on the ‘last Friday of February, March, April, September, October, November, and December, at 8 o’clock’.

The group changed the venue for their meetings several times in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: in 1895, they met at the Cobden Hotel (87 Argyle Street), two years later at Mr [Malcolm] M’Culloch’s (wine and spirit merchant, 13 Maxwell Street), in 1904 at M’Culloch’s Argyle Street premises, in 1908 at the National Burns Club (93 Douglas Street), and finally, in 1914, at Ferguson and Forrester’s (purveyors and wine merchants, 36 Buchanan Street). All of these were centrally located in the city.

Date of Existence

1872-present. Federated 1886

Source of Information

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies, for 1892’, in BC, ed. by John Muir, No. I (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., 25 January 1892), p. 130;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 194;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1895), p. 175;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation; January 1897), p. 151; 6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 138;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1908’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1908), p. 131;

8. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), pp. 202-3;

9. Glasgow Haggis Club [accessed 23/09/15];

10. ‘Glasgow Haggis Club’,Glasgow and District Burns Association [accessed 23/09/15];

11. ‘Donations’,Jean Armour Burns Trust [accessed 23/09/15]

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 14A MEM 472108 (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

‘BC‘ refers to the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, which was published yearly since 1892. Hard copies are available at the Mitchell Library Special Collections and the National Library of Scotland. Many of them have been digitised and are available throughRobert the Burns World Federation website: http://www.rbwf.org.uk/digitised-chronicles/. This list of Burns chronicles as sources of information gives the first year the club was included in the chronicle, and thereafter only for the years where the information is different from the previous year’s listing. In keeping with the scope of this study (1800-1914), only the chronicles published between 1892 and 1914 are included.

Glasgow Hutchesontown Burns Club

Overview

This Burns club was based in Hutchesontown, located to the south of the River Clyde and southeast of the city centre. Members met at 572 Rutherglen Road (premises of R. Young, spirit merchant) on the first Friday of the month at 8pm for ‘[t]he perpetuation of the memory of Robert Burns, and the intellectual and social intercourse of its members by such means as may from time to time be agreed upon’ Annual( Burns Chronicle and Club Directory (1912), p. 170). It is currently unknown how many members this club had.

Date of Existence

1898-1909; 1912-? Federated 1898

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1899’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1899), p. 163;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1900’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1900), p. 148;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 170; 4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), p. 211

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

Glasgow Jewish Literary and Social Society (currently unknown if this is same as Glasgow Jewish Young Men’s Institute)

Overview

The information that we currently have for the Glasgow Jewish Literary and Social Society comes from a 1904 catalogue of the society’s library. Use of the library was restricted to society members, but was free of charge. The library was relatively modest with only 60 items listed, 16 of which were ‘Novels and Tales’. Included in the catalogue is a list of the library’s regulations.

To date, it is unknown if the Glasgow Jewish Young Men’s Institute was related to the earlier group. Details on this society come from the Glasgow Post Office directories. The 1914-1915 directory gives the address as 4 Carlton Place (just south of the River Clyde), and lists the society’s objects: ‘

‘Objects — To provide the means of social and literary recreations by promoting lectures, debates, musical evenings, &c.’

(‘Glasgow Jewish Young Men’s Institute’, ‘Educational Institutions’,Glasgow Post Office Directory for 1914-1915… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill Limited, 1914), p. 1831)

Date of Existence

1904?-?

Source of Information

1. Glasgow Jewish Literary and Social Society, Catalogue, Library (November 1904);

2. [Advertisements, Glasgow Jewish Literary and Social Society], Glasgow Herald, 27 November 1895, p. 8;

3. (For Glasgow Jewish Young Men’s Institute, see: ‘Glasgow Jewish Young Men’s Institute’, Educational Institutions’,Glasgow Post Office Annual Directory for 1913-1914… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1913), p. 1828); also ‘Glasgow Jewish Young Men’s Institute’, ‘Educational Institutions’, Glasgow Post Office Directory for 1914-1915… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill Limited, 1914), p. 1831)

Repository

Mitchell Library

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

Mitchell (GC) 017.60941443 GLA 231828 (MLSC) (Catalogue, Library)

Additional Notes

Glasgow Jolly Beggars Burns Club

Overview

There is very little currently known about this club. Outwith a mention of this group in the Memorial Catalogue of the Burns Exhibition, the only other information we have to date is from the 1892 Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, which lists the club’s meeting place as 80 Gloucester Street (listed in the Glasgow Post Office directory for the same year as the premises of William Millar, wine merchant), along the names and addresses of the President and Secretary. Date of Existence

1887-1909; 1914-? Federated 1888

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Clubs, for 1892’, in BC, ed. by John Muir, No. I (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., 25 January 1892), p. 130;

2. Memorial Catalogue of the Burns Exhibition. Held in the Galleries of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, 175 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, From 15th July till 31st October, 1896 (Glasgow: William Hodge & Company and T. & R. Annan & Sons, 1898), p. xvi

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle, and Memorial Catalogue)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 14A MEM 472108 (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

Glasgow Literary Club

Overview

This literary club was in fact an institution, in the sense of being a building where club members met for in/formal literary and social events and activities. The club was founded in 1911 and located at 266 St Vincent Street. It had club rooms, bedrooms, a dining room as well as its own library for club members. Membership lists were separated into town and country members.

Whilst later in date than the materials considered in this project (and later than the magazines investigated in our sister project, Literary Bonds), of interest amongst the collection for this group is the club’s magazine. The earliest is dated Christmas 1921, and is entitled the Glasgow Literary Club Magazine. This issue contains type-written original poetry, essays, artwork, music, and recipes. Later, in the 1930s, the club had another magazine called The Chap Book, which contains original essays and poetry, and reports on various events at the club. It also included news of various reading and study circles that were running within the club. For example, there was a study circle, French circle, and Poetry and Literature circle.

Date of Existence

Premises opened 1/5/1911 (Formal Opening 15/5/1911) -1964?

Source of Information

The Glasgow Literary Club (Constitution and bye-laws, 1928-51; membership records, 1911-49; magazines, 1921-35; visitors books, 1934-40; finance, 1958)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives Reference Number

GB243 TD1858

Additional Notes

The documents from this club are contained in 2 large boxes with the following reference numbers on them: first box: TD1858/8/1-6; second box: TD1858/1-7, TD1858/9-11. In pencil underneath is the following ‘(See Box 2/2 for TD1858/8)’.

Glasgow Literary Forum (aka Glasgow Public Literary Forum)

Overview

This ‘literary forum’ was primarily a debating society that posed one question at each meeting which its members then discussed. In 1823, gentlemen were allowed to introduce a lady to the meetings.

Included in the earliest minute book is ‘A List of Questions for the Literary Forum’. Here are a couple of examples from the list: ‘Is Knowledge and Happiness one [sic] the increase through the World?’; ‘Will a period ever arrive when War shall sease [sic]and peace become permanent of the Earth?’. In addition, they debated the emancipation of slaves in the West Indies, the working class right to vote, the pros and cons of English and Scottish poor laws, and the profanation of the Sabbath. The 1837-1840 Minute Book shows that this literary club also discussed literature.

Questions discussed in these later years included current issues like the Corn Laws (20 January 1838), a debate whether ‘suffrage [was] to be extended’ (27 January 1838), and ‘Is the diffusion of general literature through the medium of the Press favourable to Theatrical Entertainments?’ (17 February 1838). Essays were also read (as of 1 June 1838). These later meetings took place in Begg & Stenhouses’s Tavern on Hutcheson Street, in the heart of the city centre. Date of Existence

1822?-1840?

Source of Information

1. Minute Books, 1822-25; 1837-40 (later minute book becomes minute book for cricket club);

2. Houston, William, Account of the origin, progress and present state of the Glasgow Public Literary Forum… (Glasgow, 1824)

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

Mitchell (GC), CD378.24 HOU 51071 (ML) (Account of the origin…)

56245, 327348 (MLSC) (Minute Books)

Additional Notes

–

Glasgow Montefiore Literary and Musical Society

Overview

The only information we currently have on this society comes from the 1885-1886 Glasgow Post Office directory, which lists the group’s object, admissions policy, subscription rate, and office bearers: ‘The object of this society is to give a course of literary and musical evenings during the winter months. The entertainments to be provided as far as possible from amongst the subscribers and the proceeds to be devoted to charitable institutions. Amateurs (ladies or gentlemen) of literary or musical talent joining this society, and approved of by the committee, are enabled to take part in the entertainments during the session. Annual subscription, 7s. 6d. President, Rev. E. P. Phillips, vice-president, Councillor M. Simons, ; hon. treasurer, Isidor Morris, 7 Somerset Place; hon. secretary, Henry Salomon, 319 Sauchiehall Street’.

(‘Glasgow Montefiore Literary and Musical Society’, ‘Musical Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1885-1886… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1885), p. 129)

Date of Existence

1884-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Montefiore Literary and Musical Society’, ‘Musical Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1885-1886… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1885), p. 129

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Overview

Mossgiel Farm in Ayrshire was the home of Robert Burns. (For more information about the farm, see ‘Mossgiel‘ on The Burns Encyclopedia website.)

This Burns club had a modestly-sized membership of 50 in the late nineteenth century. Meetings were held at 8pm on the first Tuesday (and later on the third Tuesday) of the month from November until April. Its object was:

‘ […] the annual celebration of the Birthday of Robert Burns, occasional re-unions for the cultivation of social and intellectual intercourse amongst the members and friends, the encouragement of Scottish literature, and to have a summer trip to some of the places dear to the lovers of the Poet.’

(‘Club Notes’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 177)

The group met at Mrs James Anderson’s (wine and spirit merchant, 3 Cathcart Street) in the Gorbals, an area in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information about the Gorbals, see ‘Gorbals , Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the Scotcities website.) Interestingly, in 1911, it was recorded in theAnnual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory that the club met at 45 South Portland Street, which is listed in the Glasgow Post Office directory for the same year as being the address of one J. A. Diamond, teacher of dancing.

Date of Existence

1893-? Federated 1893

Source of Information

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 197;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1895), p. 178;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 167;

5. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 177;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 163;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 164

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 14A MEM 472108 (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Glasgow Northern Burns Club

Overview

There is very little currently known about this society. Outwith a mention of the group in the Memorial Catalogue of the Burns Exhibition, the only other details we have are provided by the Annual Burns Chronicle, which are sparse indeed. The 1892 chronicle lists the club’s year of federation along with the name of the secretary and his address (Alexander Duncanson, 24 Grafton Street, Glasgow). The 1898 edition only adds to this the number of club members in that year (80).

Date of Existence

1891?-1909; 1914-? Federated 1891

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies, for 1892’, in BC, ed. by John Muir, No. I (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., 25 January 1892), p. 131;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1898), p. 139;

3. Memorial Catalogue of the Burns Exhibition. Held in the Galleries of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, 175 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, From 15th July till 31st October, 1896 (Glasgow: William Hodge & Company and T. & R. Annan & Sons, 1898), p. xvi Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle, and Memorial Catalogue)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 14A MEM 472108 (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

Glasgow Orcadian Literary and Scientific Society Overview

The members of this group and/or their parents were originally from Orkney and had since settled in Glasgow. This society is a type of nineteenth-century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

There is little information currently known about this society, which further research will help to rectify. The group is mentioned in the ‘Ninth Annual Report of the Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association’ (1871). The report states that there was some discussion during the session to amalgamate the Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association, Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Benevolent Society, and the Glasgow Orcadian Literary and Scientific Society, to form a Benevolent Literary and Scientific Association. There were various difficulties with this for the Benevolent Society, but regardless, the Glasgow Orcadian Literary and Scientific Society was clearly against the idea.

Date of Existence

1870?-?

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in the Ninth Annual Report of the Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association, given 2 May 1872, 1870-71 session, in Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association, Minute Book No. 2, 8 March 1867-15 April 1878, p. 199 (SA, D58/1/2);

2. [Prospectus], Glasgow Orcadian Literary and Scientific Society, Session 1872-3 [includes list of Office-Bearers, 1872-3 and Syllabus] (OLA, ‘Papers – Literary societies: miscellaneous’, 800YZ);

3. [Prospectus], Glasgow Orcadian Literary and Scientific Society, Session 1873-74 (OLA, ‘Papers – Literary societies: miscellaneous’, 800 YZ) Repository

Orkney Library & Archive (OLA)

Shetland Archives (SA)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association.

Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association

Overview

The members of this group (and/or their parents) were originally from Orkney and Shetland, and had since settled in Glasgow. This society is a type of nineteenth- century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

Formed in 1862, the Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Association (to use its current title) is still running. This is an uncommon case of a literary society founded in the nineteenth century that continues to meet (a number of Burns clubs have survived, but they are, arguably a special type of literary society). In addition, it has the further distinction of having the largest known and most complete collection of materials available on any nineteenth-century Glasgow literary society that we have come across. In 2015, the records and the majority of the books from the association’s library were deposited in the Shetland Archives in Lerwick, where they are currently housed.

The history of the Association has already been the subject of a book by Jerry Eunson and Olivia D. Scott. The book provides an overview of the history of the Association, and covers the years from its founding until 1962, when the authors discuss its then current state and reflect on the Association’s centenary. A more in-depth case study was done on this society by Lauren Weiss in 2017. It also covers the association’s history, but focuses on the group’s ‘literary’ history, that is, the role of reading, and the production and consumption of their own manuscript magazines in the fulfilment of its objects and aims. Only the records between 1862 and 1914 were covered.

Date of Existence

9 November 1862-present

Source of Information

1. Papers of Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association (almost complete records and remaining library books from association library; includes minutes, manuscript magazines, typescript magazines, copies of papers given to society, financial records, membership records, annual reports, printed year books, scrapbook, and photographs) (SA, D58);

2. Eunson, Jerry and Scott, Olivia D., The Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association, 1862-1962 ([Glasgow]: [The Association], 1962) (ML, Mitchell (GC) 367 EUN);

3. Glasgow Orkney & Shetland Literary & Scientific Association Year Book. 1942-1966 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 367 669976) (for full holdings, apply to staff);

4. Smith, Brian, ‘Significant archive donation’, Unkans, The newsletter of the Shetland Heritage and Culture Community, 48 (February 2015), 2 [accessed 7 May 2015].;

5. Weiss, Lauren, ‘The Literary Clubs and Societies of Glasgow during the Long Nineteenth Century: A City’s History of Reading through its Communal Reading Practices and Productions’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Stirling, 2017): The Literary Clubs and Societies of Glasgow during the Long Nineteenth Century

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Shetland Archives (SA)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See Glasgow Orcadian Literary and Scientific Society.

See also entry for Ultima Thule; later changed to The Manuscript Magazines of the Glasgow Orkney and Shetland Literary and Scientific Association; later changed to The Pole Star on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Glasgow Philological and Literary Club (aka This Club of Ours, or ‘Ours’ Club)

Overview

According to club records, this group was founded in 1871 by William Sloan, and its ten original members were dominies (Scots for schoolmasters). Meetings took place on Friday nights on North Street (in the Anderston area, to the west of the city centre). (For more information about this area, see Michael Moss’s article,Industrial ‘ Revolution: 1770s to 1830s. Neighbourhoods. Anderston‘ on The Glasgow Story website). Over the years, the venue would change, with meetings being held at various restaurants and hotels across the city. From its beginnings, in addition to their weekly meetings, members met on a number of other occasions during the year for Burns suppers, Christmas suppers, concerts, and for various local and regional excursions during the summer.

Whilst being more informal and primarily social in nature, the meetings were nonetheless well-organised: members took it in turns to read aloud their original compositions on a variety of topics, which the other members then ‘criticised’ the piece (in the sense that they expressed their judgement). The chairman resided over the proceedings. Recruitment of new members was confined to friends of current members who came along to the meetings, and (eventually) a vote would be called to decide if they were to be admitted.

A rather interesting tradition has evolved in the meetings. Included in the club’s possessions is ‘The Green Lady’. This is a small, green, early twentieth-century terracotta suffragette bell that bears the inscription, ‘Votes for Women’. According to the Archivist of the club:

‘[t]he bell is placed on the table during Ours Club meetings. If any member thinks that any speaker is being unduly verbose he places the green lady in front of him. The hint it taken.’

(‘The Green Lady’, D. K. Macaskill, [Inventory of the Glasgow Philological and Literary Society. Ours Club. Archive — Minutes and Associated Paper], 12 January 2015 (copy of original in possession of club Archivist, D. K. Macaskill)).

The club produced a magazine in 1909 that included original contributions written by the members (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

The group continues to meet at the Glasgow Art Club (185 Bath Street).

Date of Existence

1871-present

Source of Information

1. Minutes and associated papers (includes minutes, club rules, members lists, syllabi, original poems and songs: ‘A Book of Ours’, Burns suppers, Christmas suppers, concerts, photos, 1871-1971 (GCA, TD1896); records from 1971-present are in possession of club Archivist, D. K. Macaskill (Glasgow);

2. ‘A Book of “Ours”‘ (“Ours” Literary and Social Club. A book of “Ours.” Contributions by the members. [Andrew Lyon, Editor] (Glasgow, 1909) (print magazine)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives (GCA) (minutes and associated papers)

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC) (print magazine)

Reference Number

TC1896 (GCA)

Sp Coll Bh11-c.28 (Wylie Collection) (UGSC)

Additional Notes

Thomas Gildard was President of the “Ours” Club from 1882-1893, and was also a member of The Literary and Artistic Society.

See also entry for A Book of “Ours” on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Glasgow Primrose Burns Club

Overview

In 1910 (the earliest year for which we have any details on this club), members met in the Arcade Café (possibly Sloan’s Arcade Café, 109 Argyle Street), before meeting in the Alexandra Hotel (148 Bath Street, in the city centre) for the next two years. It is currently unknown how frequently they met or how many members there were for these years.

While in 1911, members met to enjoy ‘[m]usical evenings with Scotch readings, and [an] anniversary dinner to celebrate the Poet’s birthday’, interestingly, in 1914, the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory records they met ‘[t]o promote the intellectual improvement of the members by means of essays, debates, and such other means as may be agreed upon’. The use of the term ‘improvement’ to describe a group’s activities had largely passed out of fashion by this point in time; it was more likely to be used to describe the activities of literary groups in the early to mid- nineteenth century.

(‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 178; ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, inAnnual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), pp. 223-24)

Date of Existence

1901-? Federated 1909

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in Minutes of Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 11 December 1907, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 8 November 1907-5 September 1912, p. 9 (MLSC, 891709));

2. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 191;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 178;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 182;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), pp. 223-24

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Minutes, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number 891709 (MLSC) (Minutes)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Glasgow Queen’s Park (Burns Club)

Overview

There is very little currently known about this club. There is only a brief mention of this group in the minutes of the Glasgow and District Burns Club. We learn a bit more from the ‘Club Notes’ of the 1910 Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, that includes an obituary of one of this club’s members, Mr D. C. Wardrop. While he was then a current member of the Queen’s Park Burns Club (in the south side of the city), Wardrop was formerly secretary of the Sandyford Burns Club. In addition, he helped to found the National Burns Club and was its first secretary. The obituary is of interest as it offers a good summary of the life of a ‘prominent Glasgow Burnsian’. Date of Existence

1907?-?

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in minutes of Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 11 December 1907, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 8 November 1907-5 September 1912, p. 9 (MLSC, 891709));

2. ‘Club Notes’, ‘Obituary’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 129

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Minutes, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

891709 (MLSC) (Minutes)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club, Sandyford Burns Club, and National Burns Club, Ltd., Glasgow.

Overview

This club was formed in Glasgow as it was thought there was a need for the city to have its own society similar to the ones then running in Edinburgh and beyond.

The object of the club was to encourage the study and knowledge of drama as well as the works of Shakespeare. Members had to be at least 18 years old to join. The amount of the entry money to be paid upon joining is not given. The club started its own library.

The meetings took place at 8.30pm on the second Monday in the months of February, May, August and November. At ordinary meetings (that is, meetings not devoted to business or social matters), members read original essays, and held conversations and discussion, with every other week being devoted to ‘conviviality’. In addition, the club held a yearly dinner to celebrate Shakspere’s birthday.

There are 12 Honorary Members on the roll who joined between 1838 and 1848 whose residences crossed the globe: while 5 (at least) lived in Glasgow, there was one member who moved to New Zealand, another to New York, and yet another who lived in Calcutta. In addition, there are 54 Ordinary Members on the roll who joined between 1838 and 1850.

There are a few interesting aspects of this club. The first is that the members wore some form of insignia during the meetings, as set out in the ‘Laws and Regulations’. It is currently unclear what form this took. The second was that every member had to choose a sobriquet from the characters of Shakespeare by which they would be addressed when at the meetings. Thirdly, the laws of the club required that all members had to know the Bard’s work so well as to be able to recite any passage should the President call upon them to do so. Lastly, the club had a detailed list of fines to be paid for various infractions, and these were dependent upon whether the transgressor was an office-bearer, a member, or an orator/respondent, with a few selected infractions having a fine ‘common to all’. The greatest fines were ‘For resigning office’ (2s 6d), ‘For refusal to accept office’ (2s 6d), ‘For absence at half-past 9 o’Clock’ (making him a half hour late, at 6d), and ‘For absence from Anniversary’ (1s), respectively.

Date of Existence

1838-1850?

Source of Information

Laws, Articles and Regulations of the Glasgow Shakspere Club, Instituted 1838 (Glasgow: Printed by Muir, Gowans, & Co. 1839) (also includes manuscript, ‘Bye & New Laws’, list of Honorary Members, and Ordinary Members with dates admitted, names, ‘cognomen’, and ‘remarks’)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Mitchell (GC) 822.33 324627

Additional Notes

This club should not be confused with the Monday Shakspere Club (10 April 1879- November 1882?).

Glasgow Society of Science, Letters, and Art

Overview

There is little currently known about this society. The only information we have comes from the Glasgow Post Office Directory for 1885 to 1886, which offers the following details on what appears to be a high-status club with a remarkably low subscription rate: ‘[…] Patrons, His Grace the Duke of Argyll, K.G., K.T., His Grace the Duke of Hamilton, K.T., His Grace the Duke of Montrose, K.T., His Grace the Duke of Portland, the Most Hon. the Marquis of Lothian, K.T., the Most Hon. the Marquis of Ailsa, the Right Hon. the Earl of Stair, K.T., the Right. Hon. the Earl of Glasgow; president, Sir Henry Valentine Goold, Bart.; vice-president, Andrew Blair, F.E.I.S.; treasurer, Hector Winchester; members of council, D. Donaldson, F.E.I.S., J. W. M’Call, Rev. David Walker, M.A., Ph.D., A..M. Wright, W. B. Mathewson, and R. M. Hardie; secretary, Alf. J. Weyman, F.R.G.S., F.R.HS, Keppoch House, Possilpark.

For the advancement of science, literature, and art, including music and the fine arts, by periodical meetings for lectures, &c.; for the reading of original and interesting papers; for the publication of important transactions; for the promotion of new works, discoveries, and inventions; and for the diffusion generally of useful knowledge. Annual subscription £1 1s’ .

(‘Glasgow Society of Science, Letters, and Art’, ‘Educational Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1885-1886… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1885), p. 116)

Date of Existence

1885?-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Society of Science, Letters, and Art’, ‘Educational Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1885-1886… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1885), p. 116

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Overview

There is little currently known about this Burns club. The only details provided by the 1901 Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory are its then current office bearers and their addresses, while the 1904 directory is even less helpful, only providing the name and address of the Secretary (John M’Gillivray, 168 Mathieson Street, Glasgow).

Date of Existence

October 1899-1909; 1914-? Federated October 1901 (1904 ‘Directory’ lists 1900 as date of Federation)

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1901’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. X (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1901), p. 146;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 146

Repository

Mitchell Library (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

Glasgow St. David’s Burns Club

Overview

There is little currently known about this club. From the 1892 and 1895 editions of the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, we know that members met in the Club Rooms located at 163 Ingram Street. This is the address given by the Glasgow Post Office directory for William Barr, wine and spirit merchant. We do not know how many members there were, how frequently they met, nor what the object for meeting was (which was usually stated by most clubs and societies in their rules and constitutions).

Date of Existence

1887-1909; 1914-? Federated 1889

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies, for 1892′, in BC, ed. by John Muir, No. I (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., 25 January 1892), p. 131;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1895), p. 176;

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle, and Memorial Catalogue)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Mitchell (AL) 14A MEM 472108 (MLS) (Memorial Catalogue)

Additional Notes

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

Overview

Details on this group come from the Glasgow Post Office directory for 1884-1885, that gives the following summary, which includes a rather lengthy list of its 26 vice- presidents:

‘Objects of the society — (1) To obtain the opening of museums, art galleries, libraries, and gardens on Sundays; (2) to promote the delivery of Sunday lectures on literary philosophical, and scientific subjects; (3) to provide concerts of high-class music on Sundays. Office bearers — President, Professor John Tyndall, D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S., &c.; vice-presidents, Prof. Alex Bain, LL.D., A. Bethune, Esq., of Blebo, Prof. John Stuart Blackie, James Brownlee, Esq., Prof. Edward Caird, LL.D., Duncan Cameron, Esq., Robert Dick, Esq., James Dick, Esq., Rev. John Glasse, M.A., J. B. Hannay, Esq., F.C.S., Bret Hart, Esq., U.S. Consul, Prof. William Knight, LL.D., Andrew L. Knox, Esq., Andrew S. M’Cllelland, Esq., J.P., Dr. A. Neilson , F.F.P.S., Prof. John Nichol, LL.D., Andrew Paton, Esq., John Pullar, Esq., Rev. Alex. Rattray, M.A., Dr. H. J. Smith, Dr. Allan Thomson, LL.D., F.R.S., Prof. J. Thomson, J. C. Wakefield, Esq., J.P., Rev. F. W. Walters, M.A., Rev. Alex. Webster, M.A. (Edinburgh), Dr. Andrew Wilson, F.R.S.E., &c.; hon. treasurer, G. L. Clark, Esq., 51 West Regent street; hon. secretary, J. Shaw Maxwell, 108 Renfield street’.

(‘Glasgow Sunday Society’, ‘Miscellaneous’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1884-1885… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1884), p. 124)

Date of Existence

1884-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Sunday Society’, ‘Miscellaneous’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1884-1885… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1884), p. 124

Repository Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Glasgow Sutherlandshire Association

Overview

Sutherland is a county in the Highlands of Scotland. This society is a type of nineteenth-century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

In Charles Sandford Terry’s A catalogue of the publications of Scottish historical and kindred clubs and societies, there is a list of publications produced by the Sutherland Association in Edinburgh, which was founded in 1866. The entry mentions the Glasgow association, which preceded it by nine years. The catalogue gives the Glasgow group’s object as ‘the study and preservation of the literature, history, and traditions of the county’.

This association also produced a manuscript magazine in 1899 (at least) that contains original papers written by society members. The group voted to have this put into print (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1857-?

Source of Information

1. Glasgow Sutherlandshire Association, ‘Papers contributed to [the] Manuscript magazine: 12 January 1899’ (Glasgow: Archibald Sinclair, “Celtic Press”, 1899) (UGL, Library Research Annexe, Store 25964);

2. Terry, Charles Sanford, ‘Publication of the Sutherland Association, Edinburgh’,A catalogue of the publications of Scottish historical and kindred clubs and societies, and of the volumes relative to Scottish history issued by His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1780-1908, with a subject index (Glasgow: James MacLehose and Sons, 1909), p. 193 (UGL, 5 copies, includes: History Bibliog DV300 1909-T 1780-1908; see also UGSC, Sp Coll MacLehose 472);

3. Glasgow Sutherlandshire Association, Sixty-Fifth Annual Reunion. Complimentary Dinner to Rev. Adam Gunn, M.A., D.D., Durness. Reprinted from the “John O’Groat Journal” of Friday, February 18, 1921 (Glasgow: 1921) (reprinted by Wentworth Press, 2016; see also digitised copy on us.archive.org)

Repository

University of Glasgow Library (UGL)

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also entry for Papers Contributed to Manuscript Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds. Glasgow Training College Literary Committee

Overview

There is little currently known about this literary committee. To date, the evidence for it consists of four photographs.

A brief description is available on theUniversity of Strathclyde Archives Online Catalogue:

‘Name of creator Glasgow Training College Literary Committee (Established 1907)

Administrative history: The Literary Committee was responsible for producing the Training College Magazine, 1907 – c 1923, and arranging debates and talks on literary subjects’ [accessed 28/01/18]

Date of Existence

1907-c. 1923

Source of Information

Glasgow Training College Literary Committee records, 1907-1914 (4 photographs)

Repository

University of Strathclyde Archives

Reference Number

JCE/23/2

Additional Notes

–

Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association

Overview

The Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement was founded in 1824. In 1877, it amalgamated with the Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association (aka the G.Y.M.C.A., instituted in 1841, but this date is debatable) to become the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association. This organisation was probably the largest of its type in Glasgow during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: to give an example from one report at the end of the nineteenth century, the association’s ‘Synopsis for 1893-4’ reported that on 30 June 1894, there were then 9,946 members on the rolls (The Annual Report of the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association. For Year Ending 30th June, 1894 (Glasgow: [?], 1894) (MLSC, GC 267.39 41435).

Upon amalgamation with the G.Y.M.C.A., the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association divided up the operations of the association according to the location of their societies in the city, for example, the Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western Sections, which were then subdivided into further subsections. The amalgamation also involved the union of all the reading rooms and libraries and their collections, with the main, central library being located at 280 George Street.

Many of the subsections had their own literary associations, although, to date, it has not been possible to ascertain the exact number of these societies in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. From the records, we know that the literary association meetings of these subsections were well attended. For example, in 1878, the First, Southern Section (‘Boundaries – On the North, the River Clyde. On the West, Eglinton Street’, thus in the Laurieston area) met in class rooms on 67 Cumberland Street at 8pm on Saturday nights. They reported an average attendance of 50 members, with the maximum attendance for the session being 80. The group’s Annual Report for 1898 notes that the evenings’ activities involved study and conversation on various literary and scientific topics, and did not exclude politics.

Date of Existence

1877-present (as Ypeople, Glasgow)

Source of Information

1. Annual Report of the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association. 1877 (Note: in same book asAnnual Report of the Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association. For 1865-66. (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1866)) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 267.3 43136);

2. Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association. Catalogue of the Circulating and Reference Libraries (1873) (MLSC, G018.2 GLA);

3. Catalogue of Library of the George Square Branch of the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association (1882) (MLSC, G018.2 GLA);

4. Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association. Eastern Section. Library Catalogue (Glasgow: K. & R. Davidson, Printers, [1888?]), (MLSC, G 018.2 GLA);

5. Library catalogue and rules [Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association] (1895) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC), 018.2 GLA 157770);

6. Annual report of the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association: 1878: adopted at annual meeting and conversazione, held in the Corporation Galleries, on 29th April, 1879 (Glasgow: Central Rooms, Christian Institute, 1879) (UGL), Research Annexe, Store HA03910)

7. (Note: this list is by no means an exhaustive one — there are numerous annual reports and various types of administrative papers available across both the Mitchell Library’s and the University of Glasgow Library’s collections; in addition, there also many newspaper articles on the activities of this association, see theBritish Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

University of Glasgow Library (UGL) Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association, and Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement.

Glasgow University Dialectic Society

Overview

The online catalogue of the University of Glasgow Archives Services,Archives Hub, offers a summary of this society and its activities:

‘Administrative / Biographical History Glasgow University Dialectic Society was instituted in 1861 at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, as a society for the discussion of literary, philosophical and political subjects. The Society, in some form, has been in existence for some years earlier. The Society has been prominent in University life and in 1885 , along with the Glasgow University Medico-Chirurgical Society , helped to establish the Glasgow University Union (GUU).

Originally a male only club, membership is now mixed and open to matriculated members of the University and ex-members upon payment of a subscription. The Society’s main aim is to foster and promote debate.’

(‘Records of the Glasgow University Dialectic Society, student society, University of Glasgow, Scotland’, ‘Administrative/Biographical History’, Archives Hub)

Date of Existence (few years prior to) 1861-present

Source of Information

1. Records of the Glasgow University Dialectic Society (includes: Constitution and bye- laws; membership card; syllabus) (UGAS, GB 248 DC 38);

2. Records of the Glasgow University Dialectic Society (includes: Board minutes; Society meeting minutes; Membership roll books) (UGSC, GB 247 MS Gen 1307-1310);

3. (Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Citizen, 4 Mch. 1912’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 33, p. 55);

4. ‘University Notes’, Evening Citizen, 4 March 1912, p. 10

5. University of Glasgow Dialectic Society Homepage

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

University of Glasgow Archives Services (UGAS)

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Copies of the Evening Citizen are available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland. Digitised issues are available through theBritish Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Glasgow University Dumfriesshire & Galloway Literary Society

Overview

From the University of Glasgow Archives Services online catalogue Archives Hub:

‘Administrative / Biographical History: Glasgow University Dumfriesshire & Galloway Literary Society was formed at the University of Glasgow , Scotland, in 1876 . The object of the society was to “hold discussions of the chief literary and philosophical, social and political questions of the day and to keep its members acquainted with the spirit of the age” . Membership was open to students of the University and natives of, or connected to, Dumfriesshire and Galloway, Scotland (now Dumfries & Galloway).

A committee consisting of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and 4 regular members managed the society. The committee was elected at the annual general meeting held in the second week of November.

Regular meetings of the society were held on the second Monday of each month for the reading of essays, criticism and debate. The society was still functioning in 1882 but nothing is known about its activities after this date’ [accessed 28/01/18].

Date of Existence

1876-1882?

Source of Information

Records of Glasgow University Dumfriesshire and Galloway Literary Society, 1876-fl. 1882 (Constitution and bye-laws 1876; List of members 1881-1882; Treasurer’s account book 1876-1882)

Repository

University of Glasgow Archives Services

Reference Number

GB 248 DC 062/2 Additional Notes

–

Glasgow Western Literary Union

Overview

There is little currently known about this union, which appears to have been a debating society. The only information we have comes from the minute book of the Kelvinside Literary Association, which discusses a Union circular that was received by the society in October 1878 apparently requesting the group to join. A motion was then proposed and seconded in its favour.

Date of Existence

1878?-?

Source of Information

(Mentioned in minute book of Kelvinside Literary Association: Minute entry, 15 October 1878, Kelvinside, Free Church, U.F., [Kelvinside] Literary Association minutes, 1871-84)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1012/11

Additional Notes

See Kelvinside Literary Association. Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement

Overview

This society was instituted in 1824. In 1877, it amalgamated with the Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association (aka G.Y.M.C.A., instituted in 1841, although this date is debatable) to become the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association in 1877. In 1824, there were 14 associations connected with this society in Glasgow.

Ralph Wardlaw, D.D. (1779-1853) gave a sermon on the night of 19th September 1824 at the George Street Chapel on behalf of this society. He strongly promoted the formation of an association for young men’s improvement. He was particularly concerned about the young men who grew up in the country and came to the city looking for work. Groups like the Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement offered a lifeline. He also discussed the origin of this society, which was to work as a supplement to Sabbath Schools. He also sets out its object and rules, which was to be the formation of societies in Glasgow and the surrounding region that would encourage mutual improvement in its young male members with a focus on religion. In addition, a library of suitable religious works and biographies was to be instituted.

The ‘Regulations of the Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement’ are given as an Appendix to this Sermon.

Date of Existence

1824-1877

Source of Information

1. Wardlaw, Ralph, Sermon: [for] the Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement (Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement (1825)) (ML, Mitchell (GC), 41446);

2. Wardlaw, Ralph, The divine dissuasion to the young, against the enticements of sinners: a sermon preached in George-Street Chapel, Glasgow, on the evening of Sabbath, 19th September, 1824: in behalf of the Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement (Glasgow: Wardlaw & Cunninghame, [etc.], 1825) (UGSC, Sp Coll T.C.L. 4010);

3. Heugh, Hugh, The importance of early piety: a sermon preached for the Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement: January 8th, 1826 (Glasgow: Printed by W. Lang, for the Glasgow Young Men’s Religious Tract Society, 1826) (UGSC, Sp Coll T.C.L. 3982);

4. Wardlaw, Ralph, Religion the duty, the happiness, and the hope of youth: a sermon, delivered in Greyfriars’ Chapel, Glasgow, on the evening of Lord’s-Day, May 27th, 1838, in behalf of the Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement (Glasgow: Printed for the Society by Aird & Russell, 1838) (UGSC, Sp Coll T.C.L. 3953);

5. Campbell, J., Memoirs of David Nasmith, his labours and travels in Great Britain, France, United States and Canada (London, 1844) (NLS, NF.1346.e.11);

6. Address delivered at the reunion of those who were members of the Regent Place Young Men’s Society; subject: Dr. Heugh … 23d March, 1852, by David Young, United Presbyterian minister at Glasgow (1852) (UGSC, Sp Coll Mu39-h.32);

7. Thirty-fifth annual report of the Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement: read 24th February, 1859 (Printed by K.& R. Davidson, 1859) (UGL, Library Research Annexe, Ba4-g.10);

8. Annual Report of the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association, 1865-83, 1893-1937 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 267.3 43136);

9. Catalogue of the circulating and reference libraries. Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement. 1873 (ML, Mitchell (GC), 017.2 9368);

10. Douglas, John D., The advantages of the adoption of the Public Libraries Act: first prize essay: Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement (1874) (ML, Mitchell (GC), 027.4 9372);

11. Binfield, Clyde,George Williams and the Y.M.C.A., online resource: [accessed 23/03/15]

Repository Mitchell Library (ML)

University of Glasgow Library (UGL)

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association and Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association.

Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association

Overview

The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was formed in London in 1841. (For a history of this association, see ‘History and Heritage’, on the YMCA website.)

There is a discrepancy in the records as to the start date of the Glasgow branch of the YMCA. According to the 1877 ‘Constitution’ of the Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association (GYMCA), the group was founded in 1841. Alternatively, according to the History of the World’s Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Associations (1955), the Glasgow branch was founded in 1848, when the Glasgow Young Men’s Institute (evidently a separate organisation from the earlier Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement) adopted the name of the Young Men’s Christian Association (see ‘YMCA Scotland. Scotland – National Council of YMCAs‘ on the World YMCA website.) There is a consensus, however, as to the events that followed: in 1877, the GYMCA amalgamated with the Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement (instituted 1824), to become the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association.

This was a large and well-organised group that had branches spread across all parts of the city. Its central meeting rooms were on 280 George Street, in the heart of the city. The Annual Report for 1866 includes the group’s ‘Constitution and Rules’, which sets out the object of the group as being the provision of facilities to bring about young men’s improvement in various areas (typically, this included a rather standard list that included intellectual, moral and religious improvement).

The yearly subscription charge was 2s 6d, which was the average for these societies during this period. However, it seems that this fee was subject to negotiation, perhaps being dependent upon personal financial circumstances.

Upon the amalgamation of the Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement, and the Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association, the newly formed Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association was formed in 1877. Its object was also for young men’s improvement.

It was reported that as of 31 December 1877, there was a total of 176 branches of the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association, with 149 in the city and suburbs, and 27 Country Branches.

Date of Existence

1841-1877

Source of Information

1. Annual Report of the Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association. For 1865-66 (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1866)(Note: the 1867 and 1877 Annual Reports are also bound in this publication, while the 1868-1876 reports are not) (MLSC, GC267.3941443 GLA);

2. Lecture on Revealed Religion, by Professors and Ministers of Various Denominations. Delivered Under the Auspices of the Glasgow Young Men’s Christian Association, 1872-73. With Preface by the Rev. Robt. Jamieson, D.D., Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (Glasgow: Geo. Bogie, 463 Paisley Road; Thos. Murray & Son; George Gallie & Son. Edinburgh and Glasgow: John Menzies & Co., [1873]) (ML, Mitchell (GC) 231.74 97614) 3. (Various published lectures given to association, see Mitchell online catalogue);

4. M’Dowall, John K., The People’s History of Glasgow. An Encyclopedic Record of the City From the Prehistoric Period to the Present Day (Glasgow: Hay Nisbet and Co. Ltd., 1899), p. 63 (ML, GC 941. 443 McDo);

5. Binfield, Clyde, George Williams and the Y.M.C.A.: A Study in Victorian Social Attitudes (London : Heinemann, 1973) (ML, Mitchell (SS) 267.3924 BIN);

6. Youde, Kate, ‘Brand Report: YMCA Glasgow Becomes Y People’, Third Sector (8 February 2011) [accessed 23/03/15];

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow Young Men’s Society for Religious Improvement and Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association.

See also Young Women’s Christian Association (aka Glasgow Young Women’s Christian Association).

Glasgow-Ardgowan Burns Club Overview

Ardgowan is located near Inverkip, Inverclyde, on the west coast of Scotland. It is possible that the members of this club were originally from this area before moving to Glasgow.

There is little currently known about this Burns club. The information that we have comes from the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, which only lists the date of this club’s institution, federation, and office bearers for the year.

Date of Existence

8 March 1893-1909; 1914-? Federated 1896

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 155;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1898), p. 143

Repository

Mitchell Library (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

Glencairn Burns Club, Glasgow

Overview

Glencairn is a parish in Dumfries and Galloway. It is possible that the members of this club were originally from this area before moving to Glasgow.

In the late nineteenth century, this Burns club met on the first Thursday of the month at 375 Paisley Road (south of the River Clyde and southwest of the city centre), which was the address of one John M. Picken, restaurateur, according to the Glasgow Post Office directory for 1894. Membership was limited to 60 members. In 1897, there were 46 members, which makes this a relatively modest-sized club for this period.

Date of Existence

1891 (‘Directory’ for 1898, p. 141, gives 1890 as date of institution)-1909; 1914-?) Federated 1893

Source of Information

1. Memorial Catalogue of the Burns Exhibition. Held in the Galleries of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, 175 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, From 15th July till 31st October, 1896 (Glasgow: William Hodge & Company and T. & R. Annan & Sons, 1898), p. xvi (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 14A MEM 472108); 2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 196;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., January 1895), p. 178;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 154

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

Overview

This club took its name from the Gorbals, an area in the south side of Glasgow where, presumably, the members were based. (For more information about the area, see ‘Gorbals , Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website.)

The group met at 2 Carlton Court, South Side, in 1906, later meeting ‘at various times’ at the Alexandra Hotel (148 Bath Street), to the west of the city centre, in 1908.

In 1904, the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory listed the club’s object as follows: ‘to foster and encourage a knowledge of the works of our National Bard, and the noble aspirations therein contained concerning the universal brotherhood of man’ (‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 148).

From the listing in the 1909 Chronicle, it appears there might have been a shift in the club’s activities, with more of a focus on the social aspect: in this year, the club listed its objects as being ‘[t]o foster and encourage the study of the works of our national Bard and to promote social and intellectual intercourse among the members’ (‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 173;

It is currently unknown how many member this club had.

Date of Existence

1902-? Federated 1903

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 148;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), p. 159;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1908’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1908), p. 143;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 173;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (January 1911), p. 171

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Overview

This club was based in Govan, an area south of the River Clyde and southwest of the city centre. (For more information about this area, see Gerald Blaikie’s article, ‘Govan, Glasgow. Architecture & History‘ on the ScotCities website.)

It is currently unclear if this is the same group as the Govan Fairfield Burns Club. The evidence we have comes from a newspaper clipping in a scrapbook housed in the Mitchell Library. It is possible that the Govan Burns Club and the Govan Fairfield Burns Club were one and the same.

There is very little currently known about this group. The information we have comes from a newspaper article in 1909 on the ‘Ter-Jubilee Celebrations’, which gives a long list of the attendees, and reports a large part of the speech given by Mr J. E. Christie. There is very little information on the club itself.

Date of Existence

1906-?

Source of Information

(Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Times. 26 January 1909’ (‘”The Twenty-Fifth.” Ter- Jubilee Celebrations. Govan Club. Mr J. E. Christie’s Speech’,Evening Times, 26 January 1909 (Fourth Edition), p. 5)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 22, p. 30

Additional Notes The Evening Times is available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland (check libraries for availability in different formats). Digitised issues are also available through Britishthe Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

Govan Fairfield Burns Club

Overview

It is currently unclear if this is the same group as the Govan Burns Club. It is possible that the Govan Fairfield Burns Club and the Govan Burns Club were one and the same.

There were between 40 and 60 members of this group at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries. Members met on the first Wednesday of the month between September and March. The venue for their meetings changed over the years: in 1895, they met at the Waverley Hotel, Langlands (located in the south side of the city); in 1904, at 4 Holm Street, Govan; in 1912, at 941 Govan Road; before moving back to 4 Holm Street in 1913.

Date of Existence

25 January 1886-? Federated 23 September 1892

Source of Information

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies for 1893’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. II (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., Glasgow and Edinburgh: J. Menzies & Co., January 1893), p. 191;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 196;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., January 1895), p. 177;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 134;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1898), p. 140;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1899’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1899), p. 157;

8. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1901’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. X (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1901), p. 139;

9. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1902’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1902), p. 138;

10. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 140;

11. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), p. 149;

12. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912,’ in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 163; 13. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1913’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1913), p. 186

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Govan Parish Young Men’s Association (later became Govan Literary Association, and then Govan Parish Young Men’s Literary Association)

Overview

This society was based in Govan, an area south of the River Clyde and southwest of the city centre. (For more information about this area, see Gerald Blaikie’s article, ‘Govan, Glasgow. Architecture & History‘ on the ScotCities website.) The group weekly met in Broomloan Halls (in the Broomloan Road Public School).

Here is a snapshot of this association: at the business meeting held on 24 March 1891, the Secretary reported that there were 90 members on the roll (an increase of about 20 members since the first session in 1876-1877; this number would double to over 200 by the end of the century). During the session, there were 21 meetings held, of which 9 were lectures open to the public. The group also held its annual conversazione — a social meeting with readings, songs, dancing and tea — in the spring. The subscription charge was 2 shillings per year (up from 1s in the 1870s), which was slightly lower than the average for other groups, which was 2s 6d. This probably meant that many of the members were from the working classes.

Interestingly, in the 1890s, there seems to have been a great deal of debate about how the association should style itself: between 1891 and 1897, motions were raised at several meetings to change the name of the group to the Govan Literary Association. It appears that it was important for some members to be known as a literary society, rather than simply a young men’s association, which, in the latter case, was more likely to be a social group at this point in time.

As part of their ‘literary’ activities, this society held magazine nights, at which members’ original essays were read aloud and then ‘criticised’ by the other members (in the sense of offering their judgement). It is currently unknown if these were ever collected and bound. (see ‘Additional Notes’ below)

Date of Existence

11 October 1876-1914? Source of Information

1. Glasgow, Govan, Kirk Session, Govan Parish Young Men’s Association Minute Book, 1876-86 (GCA, CH2/1277/49);

2. Wallace, Andrew, The Parish of Govan as it was and is: A lecture delivered to the Govan Young Men’s Association (Glasgow, 1878) (GCA, CH2/1277/54);

3. Scott, Alexander Macgregor, Old Govan: lecture delivered to Govan Parish Young Men’s Association (Glasgow, 1891) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) LHf 941.443 GOV 594527);

4. Govan Parish Young Men’s Association Minute Book, 1886-92 (GCA, CH2/1277/50);

5. Govan Parish Young Men’s Association Minute Book, 1892-1903 (GCA, CH2/1277/51);

6. Govan Parish Literary Association Minute Book, 1903-1913 (GCA, CH2/1277/52);

7. Govan Parish Literary Association Minute Book, 1913-1914 (GCA, CH2/1277/53)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also entry for on theGovan Parish Young Men’s Association (Magazine Evening) on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Govanhill Literary Association Overview

Govanhill is an area in the south side of Glasgow, and north of Queen’s Park. (For more information about this area, see the entry for Govanhill‘ ‘ on Wikipedia.) It is currently unknown if this association was attached to one of the local churches (which is quite likely) or was an independent group.

There is little currently known about this society. The only evidence we have comes from the syllabus of another literary group, the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, which lists the date on which the Govanhill Literary Association was scheduled to participate in a joint debate with them (see below).

Date of Existence

1889?-?

Source of Information

(Listed as having a joint debate with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute on 14 February 1889: ‘Syllabus’, 1888-1889, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1471/45

Additional Notes

See also Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UK Church Literary Institute, with whom they had a joint debate in 1889. Greyfriars Young Men’s Institute (of Greyfriars U.P. Church)

Overview

This group of working-class young men met fortnightly on Tuesdays at 8pm in the Committee Rooms (and later in the North Hall) at Greyfriars United Presbyterian Church. The church was located at 186 Albion Street in the city centre (now site of the Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde). (For more information about this church, see ‘Greyfriars UP Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

The subscription fee was one shilling half-yearly, which was cheaper than the average for literary societies during this period (2s 6d per session). The object of the group was its members’ improvement that included the intellectual, moral and religious.

An article in the February 1897 issue ofThe United Presbyterian Magazine on the jubilee of this institute provides a report of the speech of Mr William Brown, Secretary of the Institute, who recounted the group’s origins in April 1847. At that meeting held in Greyfriars Session House, 30 young men were present. Since then, Brown reported that over 450 young men had been members.

Another newspaper clipping attached to the same autograph book was from the Glasgow Daily Mail. The article also reported on the jubilee, and gave Brown’s account of the then current state of the institute, which had 44 members on the roll.

It is currently unknown how long the group continued to meet after its jubilee.

Date of Existence

28 April 1847-(at least 1906, year of Diamond Jubilee Celebration)

Source of Information

1. (New material added to Mitchell Library Special Collections, 26/02/18: Greyfriar’s Young Men’s Institute, Minute Book, 19 January 1875-18 April 1882, ref. TBD) 2. Greyfriars United Presbyterian Church,Young Men’s Institute, Autographs of members & friends, present at Jubilee Celebration, 7th Jan. 1897 [and] Diamond Jubilee Celebration, 10th Jan. 1907 (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 285.241443 GRE)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (The United Presbyterian Magazine)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below)

Additional Notes

The United Presbyterian Magazine is available at the National Library of Scotland (check library catalogue for availability in different formats). The Glasgow Daily Mail is available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland. Digitised issues are also available through Britishthe Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

Holyrood Literary Society

Overview

This group is an interesting example of a literary society whose history was not straight-forward, being the result of alliances made and broken — societies being formed, amalgamated with other societies, dissolved and/or re-formed as new clubs — over the course of its history.

There are varying accounts on the origin and history of this club and the New Literary Club, their histories being intertwined over the years. Further research on these clubs may help to untangle them. As we currently understand it, The Holyrood Literary Society was founded in 1894. On September 24th, 1897, it amalgamated with the Literary Twenty-one Club (formerly known as the New Literary Club), and became The New Holyrood Club. The group then changed its name to The Holyrood Club. The minutes for this group continue up until the 1940s.

The Holyrood Literary Society was comprised of men and women who met at 17 Holyrood Crescent, in the West End of Glasgow. At the meetings, essays were read and debates were held on a variety of topics. In 1897, this group began to produce a magazine in manuscript written by and for its members (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

20 September 1894 – 24 September 1897 (amalgamation with Literary Twenty-One Club); 24 September 1897 – 26 March 1898 (as The Holyrood Club); 26 March 1898 – 1946? (as The New Holyrood Club, and later simply The Holyrood Club)

Source of Information

1. Holyrood Literary Society, Minutes, 1894-1904;

2. Holyrood Club, The Holyrood Magazine, Christmas, 1897;

3. New Holyrood Club, Minute Book, Vol. 4, 14 January 1905-29 March 1913;

4. Holyrood Club Minutes, 1937-1946

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(All records for this society are housed together with the records of the Holyrood Club (MLSC, 891047))

Additional Notes

The records for this club also include those of the Holyrood Club and the Literary Twenty-one Club (MLSC, 891047).

See also New Literary Club (Literary Twenty-one Club), Round Table Club, with whom the Holyrood Society had a joint meeting.

See also entry for The Holyrood Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds. Hope Street Free Gaelic Church Literary Society

Overview

This society was made up of young men from the congregation of the Hope Street Free Gaelic Church. (For more information on this church, see ‘Glasgow — Hope Street‘ on the Ecclegen website, and ‘Glasgow, 58 Waterloo Street, Gaelic Free Church‘ on ScotlandsPlaces website.)

Meetings were held every Tuesday evening, but later became fortnightly. Essays read include: ‘Literary Pursuits’; ‘Man, A Study’; ‘Be Men of the Times’; ‘The importance of our opinions as a guide of Life’; Cromwell’; ‘Characterists [sic] of Highlanders’; and ‘Self-culture’ to name a few. Meetings were of the order of addresses, debates, essays and business meetings.

There were 28 members on the Secretary’s Roll for the first session (1889-1890), but usually about half or even less attended each meeting. Some of these meetings were open to ladies. ‘[S]trangers & friends’ were also allowed to attend, although their numbers were not recorded. Among the papers is a document with a list of the office- bearers for 1891-1892, and on the inside is the ‘Syllabus, 1891-92′. On the back of the Syllabus are the Constitution and Rules, which gives the society’s object as the members’ moral and intellectual improvement.

Date of Existence

1889-?

Source of Information

Records of Hope Street Gaelic Free Church, Glasgow, Bundle of papers relating to Hope Street Free Church Literary Society, 1889-92

Repository Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH16/3/11

Additional Notes

–

Hunterian Club

Overview

According to its listing in Charles Sanford Terry’s A catalogue of the publications of Scottish historical and kindred clubs and societies, the Hunterian Club was founded ‘for the reproduction of the works of Scottish writers of Elizabethan times‘.

(Terry, Charles Sanford, A catalogue of the publications of Scottish historical and kindred clubs and societies, and of the volumes relative to Scottish history issued by His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1780-1908, with a subject index (Glasgow: James MacLehose and Sons, 1909), p. 92)

It is question of debate whether or not this club should be included in this list of ‘literary’ societies. The Hunterian Club is a book club (used in the historical sense, aka a printing club or text publication society), wherein subscription fees were pooled to acquire rare, old and/or out-of-print materials considered to be of historic and literary value, and to have these reprinted. These reprinted books might then be distributed to the club members (as per agreement upon payment of the subscription) or could be sold to members at a reduced cost, or even sold to the public. This club is included here as the group’s intention was to encourage the study of historic texts thought to be of importance to Scottish literary culture.

Date of Existence

1871-1902? Source of Information

Terry, Charles Sanford, A catalogue of the publications of Scottish historical and kindred clubs and societies, and of the volumes relative to Scottish history issued by His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1780-1908, with a subject index (Glasgow: James MacLehose and Sons, 1909), pp. 92-3

Repository

There are copies available at the University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde:

University of Glasgow Library (UGL)

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

University of Strathclyde Library (USL)

University of Strathclyde Special Collections (USSC)

Reference Number

History Bibliog DV300 1909-T 1780-1908 (UGL)

Sp Coll Mu7-c.19 (UGSC)

D 016.9141 TER (USL)

Robertson Collection D 016.9141 MAT (USSC)

Additional Notes

–

Hutchesontown Free Church Young Men’s Literary Society Overview

Hutchesontown is an area to the south of the River Clyde and forms part of the Gorbals. (For more information about the area, see Gorbals‘ , Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website.)

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of the Hutchesontown Free Church, located at 114 Eglinton Street, just down the street from the Eglinton United Presbyterian Church. (For more information on this church, see ‘Glasgow — Hutchesontown‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

There is little currently known about this society. The only information we have comes from the minute book of the Free Church Students’ Literary Association, wherein this group is mentioned.

Date of Existence

1869-?

Source of Information

(Mentioned in Minute-Book of Free Church Students’ Literary Association: Minute- book of Free Church Students’ Literary Association, Glasgow, 1869-1871)

Repository

University of Glasgow Special Collections

Reference Number

MS Gen 898

Additional Notes

See also Free Church Students’ Literary Association. Irving Club (aka Irving Literary and Dramatic Club)

Overview

The listing for this club in the 1886 t0 1887 Glasgow Post Office directory gives a good summary of the group and its activities:

‘[…] This Club, which is under the direct patronage of Mr. Henry Irving, devotes its attention to the study of dramatic literature and orchestral music. Meetings are held in the Rooms, 109 Hope St. every Thursday evening at 8.30, when amateurs and others interested in matters dramatic are invited to attend. Play nights are held on the first Thursday, and literary nights on the third Thursday of each month. Applications for membership and other communications to be addressed to the secretary’.

(‘Irving Club’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1886-1887... (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1886), p. 116)

Date of Existence

12 June 1879-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Irving Club’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1886-1887... (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1886), p. 116;

2. ‘Irving Literary and Dramatic Club’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1893-1894… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1893), p. 126

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

– Additional Notes

John Street U. P. Church Literary Institute

Overview

John Street is located in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre. Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of the John Street U. P. Church. (For more information about this church, see ‘John Street UP Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

There is little currently known about this society. The only evidence we have comes from the syllabus of another literary group, the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, which lists the dates in various years on which the John Street society was scheduled to participate in a joint debate with them (see below).

Date of Existence

1875-?

Source of Information

1. (Listed as having a joint debate with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute on 30 November 1875 and on 29 February 1876: ‘Syllabus — 1875-1876’, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute, Session 1875-1876 (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912);

2. (Listed as having a joint debate with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute on 30 October 1877 and on 22 January 1878: ‘Syllabus — 1877-1878’, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute, Session 1875-1876 (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1471/45

Additional Notes

See also Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UK Church Literary Institute.

Juridical [Society]

Overview

The listing for this society in the 1854-1855 Glasgow Post Office directory gives a brief summary of this group and its activities:

‘[…] The Society meets in the Sheriff Court Hall, County Buildings, every Wednesday evening during the session, at a quarter past eight o’clock. Its principal object is the discussion and elucidation of disputed and undecided questions in law, with which is combined the preparation of essays on subjects of a legal and literary character’.

(‘Juridical [Society]’, ‘Educational and Scientific Institutions’,Glasgow Post-Office Annual Directory for 1854-1855… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1854), p. 133)

Of note is that the later listing for this group in the 1887 to 1888 directory does not mention any ‘literary’ aspect to the group’s proceedings, which may or may not mean that by then it became more focused on juridical issues and less on ‘subjects of a […] literary character’. In the late nineteenth century, the term ‘literary’ still encompassed a wide range of subjects and included — but was by no means restricted to — literature:

‘[…] The objects of this society are the discussion of legal cognate speculative subjects, and the consideration of questions of juridical interest. Admission to it is restricted to members of the legal profession and law students, and its meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 o’clock, from November to April, in the Faculty buildings, St George’s Place.’

( ‘Glasgow Juridical Society’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1887-1888… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1887), p. 117)

Date of Existence

6 November 1847-1887?

Source of Information

1. ‘Juridical [Society]’, ‘Educational and Scientific Institutions’,Glasgow Post-Office Annual Directory for 1854-1855… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1854), p. 133;

2. ‘Glasgow Juridical Society’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1887-1888… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1887), p. 117;

3. Birrell, Augustine, The Nature of Proof in Judicial Proceedings. Address Delivered to the Glasgow Juridical Society, [18-?] (ML, Mitchell (GC) 347.06 GLA/BIR 475725; GCA, Papers of Robert Renwick, TD/490/10/6)

Repository

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Post Office directory, and Address)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Glasgow Post Office directory)

Glasgow City Archives (GCA) (Address)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Kelvinside Literary Association (Kelvinside United Free Church) (later becomes The Young People’s At Home)

Overview

Members of this association were most likely part of the congregation of the Kelvinside United Free Church (earlier known as the Kelvinside Free Church) which was located at the corner of Byres Road and Great Western Road in the West End of the city (now ÒranMór, an arts and entertainment venue). (For more information on this church, see ‘Glasgow — Kelvinside‘ on the Ecclegen website.) The group met in the Session House of the church.

In D. S. Riddoch’s Kelvinside United Free Church Glasgow: A Record of Fifty Years, 1859-1909, there is a brief history of this association from its founding until its jubilee in 1909. The group had two breaks in its history, but Riddoch nonetheless counted its 44 years of more-or-less continued existence as a marker of the long-standing, established nature of this association in the city. According to Riddoch, the group provided companionship and guidance for young men in regards to citizenship. While ladies were admitted to the meetings as early as the 1873-1874 session, it was only in 1890 that membership was opened up to them. (Interestingly, if ladies did attend, their names are not recorded in the minutes.) In 1907, the fortnightly meetings were changed to monthly ones. The group changed its name in the same year to ‘The Young People’s At Home’.

In 1873, a proposal was put forward to start a society magazine, and the topic was discussed at two subsequent meetings. It is currently unknown if the magazine was ever started (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1865-(at least 1909)

Source of Information

1. Glasgow, Kelvinside, Free Church, U.F., Congregational committee minutes, 1867-8 (GCA, CH3/1012/9);

2. (Handwritten copy of syllabus for 1870-71, author unknown) (MLSC, Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 21, p. 159);

3. Glasgow, Kelvinside, Free Church, U.F., Literary association minutes, 1871-84 (GCA, CH3/1012/11);

4. Kelvinside United Free Church Year Book 1904; Report and Financial Statement 1903; Lists of Office-Bearers and Agencies, Lists of Members and Adherents (Glasgow: Printed at the University Press by Robert MacLehose and Co. Ltd., 1904), p. 12; pp. 28-9 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 285.241443 KEL 272765);

5. Kelvinside United Free Church Glasgow: A Record of Fifty Years, 1859-1909, ed. by D. S. Riddoch (Glasgow: Printed at the University Press, 1909), pp. 58-60 (MLSC, Mitchell (GC), 285.241443 KEL 499011)

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Glasgow City Archives (GCA)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

This society is not to be confused with Kelvinside Parish Church Literary Society, which is a Church of Scotland society.

See also Glasgow Western Literary Union. See also entry for Kelvinside Literary Association magazine (currently unknown if ever produced) on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Kelvinside Parish Church Literary Society

Overview

Kelvinside is an area in the West End of Glasgow. The information on this group comes from a magazine founded by and for its own members. This was a Church of Scotland society comprised of both young menand women, a trend which became more common at the start of the twentieth century. Meetings were held (monthly?) at 8pm.

According to its Eighth Annual Report, the meetings’ activities for the past session included essay readings, special lectures, a musical and a social. During this session, there were 58 members on the roll, a slight decrease from the previous year (n. 61).

For further information about this society’s magazine, see ‘Additional Notes’ below.

Date of Existence

1895-1926?

Source of Information

Kelvinside Old Parish Church, Kelvinside Parish Church Literary Society Magazine (1903-04)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH2/1149/9/2/2 Additional Notes

This is a Church of Scotland society, not to be confused withKelvinside Literary Association, which is a Free Church society.

See also entry for Kelvinside Parish Church Literary Society Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Kent Road United Presbyterian Church Young Men’s Institute

Overview

This society was made up of young men from the congregation of the Kent Road United Presbyterian Church, located near Charing Cross, to the west of the city centre. (For more information on this church, see Kent‘ Road UP Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website.) The group also allowed other young men who were not part of the congregation to join upon agreement with the other members.

According to the printed ‘Rules’ affixed in the front of the first minute book, the object of the group was its members’ improvement, which included intellectual, religious and moral. The subscription fee was one shilling per year, which was cheaper than the average fee for these societies (2s 6d), which means that this group’s members were probably from the working classes.

The yearly session ran from October until April. Meetings were held weekly on Thursday nights at 8.15pm at the Church Hall, located under the church. The ‘Rules’ state that the meetings were to include debates and the reading of essays and other papers written by the members, which was to be followed by conversation.

The subjects of the debates and essays had to be pre-approved by the Committee of Management consisting of the office bearers and directors. This prior selection of subjects was similar to the procedures of theSt. Columba Literary Association, wherein the Directors set the society’s agenda. There are 46 named individuals next to their attendance records in the back of the minute book for the 1869-1870 session. Six names have been scored through, however, as it appears five members stopped attending the meetings and one member ‘Left Glasgow’.

Members of this group produced a manuscript magazine in April 1872, and there are known to be at least two issues that were produced prior to this date (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1 November 1865-?

Source of Information

1. Kent Road, UP Church, UF, and C of S, Young Men’s Institute Minutes, 1865-74 (GCA, CH3/1443/34);

2. Kent Road Quarterly, issued by Kent Road U.P. Church Young Men’s Institute, Vol. 3, No. 2, 1 April 1872 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL), 725431);

3. Celebration of the ministerial jubilee of the Rev. Joseph Brown, D.D., Kent Road United Presbyterian Church, Glasgow (Glasgow: K. & R. Davidson, 1884) (ML, Mitchell (GC) 285.241443 KEN 109293, pp. 36+);

4. ‘Kent Road UP Church’,The Glasgow Story [accessed 13/09/17]

Repository

Glasgow City Archives (GCA)

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also entry for Kent Road Quarterly on our sister website, Literary Bonds. Kingston Burns Club

Overview

Kingston is an area just to the south of the River Clyde and site of the Kingston Dock. (For more information on this area, see the entry for ‘Kingston Dock‘ on The Glasgow Story website). The Kingston Burns Club met at the Wheat Sheaf Tea Rooms, located at 263 Paisley Road at 8pm on the second Thursday of the month between October and March. In 1915, it had about 80 members.

According to the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, the club’s object was ‘[t]o commemorate the genius of Robert Burns and foster a love for his writings and to encourage the taste of Scottish literature and music generally; to celebrate his birthday on the 25th January, or as near thereto as possible.’

(‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), p. 229)

Date of Existence

November 1912-?

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in Minutes of Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 27 March 1913, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 12 September 1912-30 April 1919, p. 15 (MLSC, 891709));

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), p. 229

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Minutes, and Annual Burns Chronicle) National Library of Scotland (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

891709 (MLSC) (Minutes)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Kinning Park Burns Club

Overview

Kinning Park is an area in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see W. Hamish Fraser’s article, ‘Neighbourhoods. Kinning Park‘ on The Glasgow Story website). In 1908, the Kinning Park Burns Club met at 8pm on the second Wednesday of the month at the Masonic Hall on Rutland Crescent. By 1913, this changed to monthly meetings. The object of this club was listed in the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory as:

‘The annual celebration of the birthday of Robert Burns, occasional meetings for the cultivation of social and intellectual intercourse, and the encouragement of Scottish literature amongst the members and friends.’

(‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1908’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1908), p. 149)

The next year, this was extended to include ‘[c]ompetition amongst school children for singing and reciting works of Scottish poets’ (‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock, Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 178).

Date of Existence

1881-1913?

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in Minutes of the Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 3 September 1910, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 8 November 1907-5 September 1912);

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1908’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1908), p. 149;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock, Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 178;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1913’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1913), p. 202

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Minutes, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle) Reference Number

891709 (MLSC) (Minutes)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Kintyre Young Men’s Literary Association (later resurrected as Kintyre Literary Association)

Overview

Kintyre is a peninsula on the west coast of Scotland. This society is a type of nineteenth-century county association. In the stricter sense, county associations were groups whose members (or whose parents) were former residents of counties across Scotland who had moved to Glasgow. This type of group incorporated elements of a benevolent society in that they could offer a combination of accommodation, advice, referrals, and general assistance to newcomers in the city when they arrived, while also offering aid to widows, unemployed members, or members undergoing financial hardship. In addition, they might offer to provide for the education of their members’ children, or money to support their higher education.

The association was formed of young men that were either born in Kintyre or had formerly resided therein but now lived in Glasgow. The object of the Kintyre Young Men’s Literary Association was its members’ moral and intellectual improvement, which was to be brought about by the reading of original essays and any other means they determined suitable.

Members met in the Religious Institutions Rooms (75 St. George’s Place, off the west side of Buchanan Street, in the city centre) at 8pm on Wednesdays during the session. The subscription fee was 2s 6p, which was the average fee for literary societies at this time. There are 35 names on the ‘Roll of Members’ for the 1862-63 session, with seven names written in pencil thereafter. The last meeting of this group was on 23 December 1863.

The group was revived in 1867 as the Kintyre Literary Association. At at meeting held on November 1st at the Religious Institution Rooms to discuss the formation of a new society, 25 young men discussed the particulars and elected the officer bearers for their group. Under its Constitution, the object of the society was also its members’ moral and intellectual improvement .

The group would continue to meet at the Religious Institution Rooms at 8pm every other Tuesday for the rest of November and December 1867, and then changed to weekly meetings for the remainder of the session and thereafter. The subscription fee was 2 shillings. The group wound up on 21 October 1879.

Date of Existence

9 September 1862-23 December 1863; 1 November 1867-21 October 1879

Source of Information

1. Kintyre Young Men’s Literary Association, Minute Book No. I, 1862-63 (ABCA, DR1/104);

2. Kintyre Literary Association, Minute Book No. I, 1867-72 (ABCA, DR1/105/1);

3. Kintyre Literary Association, Minute Book No. 2, 1872-1879 (ABCA, DR1/105/2) Repository

Argyll and Bute Council Archives (ABCA)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

–

Langside (Literary) Society

Overview

Langside is an area in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see the entry for ‘Langside‘ on TheGlasgowStory website, and ‘Langside & Battlefield. Illustrated Guide‘ on the ScotCities website).

There is little currently known about this society. It may have been connected with the Langside Free Church. (For more information on this church, seeGlasgow ‘ — Langside‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

The only information we currently have comes from another society, the Wellington Free Church Literary Association. Its 1901 report records that there were two joint meetings organised with the group, one being a mock Parliamentary Election. The second was a debate between the two societies. This, however, was cancelled due to the death of Queen Victoria.

Date of Existence

1901?-?

Source of Information

(Mentioned in Wellington, U.F. Church, printed report: ‘Report of Wellington United Free Church, Glasgow, for the Year Ended 30th September, 1901’, ‘Report of the Literary Association’, [pp. 39-40])

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1238/1

Additional Notes

See also Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association, which had joint meetings with this Society.

Langside Hill United Free Church Literary Institute

Overview

Langside is an area in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information about this area, see Gerald Blaikie’s article, Langside‘ & Battlefield. Illustrated Guide‘ on the ScotCities website.) Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of the Langside Hill United Free Church. (For more information about this church, see ‘Langside Hill Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

There is little currently known about this society. The only evidence we have to date comes from the syllabus of another literary group, the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, which lists the date on which the Langside Hill U.P Church Literary Institute was scheduled to participate in a joint debate with them (see below).

Date of Existence

1901?-? Source of Information

(Listed as having a joint debate with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute on 25 November 1901: ‘Syllabus’, 1901-1902, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1471/45

Additional Notes

See also Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UK Church Literary Institute with whom this society held a joint debate.

Lansdowne Literary Association

Overview

Lansdowne is an area in the West End of Glasgow. There is little currently known about this society. The only information we have comes from the minute book of the Kelvinside Literary Association. In the minute entry for 19 March 1872, at the Annual Social Meeting of the Kelvinside Literary Association held at the Kelvinside Free Church Session House, a deputation from the Lansdowne Literary Association is mentioned as visiting that evening having been invited to attend. At that meeting, it was suggested that the two societies hold joint debates together in the coming session.

Date of Existence

1872?-? Source of Information

(Deputation from this society mentioned as attending social of the Kelvinside Literary Association, 19 March 1872: Minute entry, 19 March 1872, Glasgow, Kelvinside, Free Church, U.F., Literary association minutes, 1871-84)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1012/11

Additional Notes

See Kelvinside Literary Association.

Lansdowne Young Men’s Christian Association (aka L.Y.M.C.A.)

Overview

This group met in the early 1890s (at least) at Lansdowne United Presbyterian Church in the more affluent West End of Glasgow. (For more information on this church, see ‘Lansdowne UP Church‘ on TheGlasgowStory website.) The association was one branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.), an organisation with connections all across Glasgow (and beyond).

The evidence that we have for this association comes from the seven extant issues of a magazine that the society members produced in manuscript. This includes one issue that was produced as an ‘Art Supplement’ (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

We don’t know the number of members, or even their names, but from the photo (see ‘Additional Notes’ below), it appears that the group that produced and/or contributed to the magazine — and possibly the group itself — included both men and women, which was not unusual for the late nineteenth century. The Lansdowne magazine does not include lists of readers in any of the issues, and, with very few exceptions and outwith the Editors themselves, the contributors are anonymous, or they use a pen- name, or an initial or initials (presumably so that they could be identified).

Date of Existence

1890?-1892?

Source of Information

Lansdowne Young Men’s Christian Association, Our Magazine. L.Y.M.C.A. A Monthly Journal of Literature & Art (Part 1 (Nov. 1890); Part 2 (Dec. 1890); No. 3, Vol. I (25 Feb. 1891); No. 4, Vol. I (25 Apr. 1891); Part 1, Art Supplement to Our Magazine (Nov. 1891); No. II (Dec. 1891); Vol. II (Apr. 1892)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

TD864/2/1-7

Additional Notes

In the ‘Art Supplement to Our Magazine’ (December 1891), there is a picture of the group with the caption ‘Our Noble Selves’.

See also entry for Our Magazine. L.Y.M.C.A. A Monthly Journal of Literature & Art on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow

Overview

The Glasgow Literary Society was founded in 1752 and changed its name at the beginning of the nineteenth century to the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow. They changed premises as well, moving from the University of Glasgow (at its address on the east side on High Street), to an unnamed apartment in the city centre.

Atkinson’s ‘Sketch’ offers a good summary of the society. According to him, prior to the start of the nineteenth century, the group was engaged in ‘mutual instruction and improvement’, and was made up primarily of university professors and students. The newly-renamed society not only changed premises, but also changed the nature of its proceedings, and extended its membership to many of the commercial men of the city.

The changing nature of the Literary and Commercial Society membership and the emphasis on business was directly reflected in the scope and content of the essays and discussions, but literature was also included. The subject areas of the essays read between 1806 and 1830 feature social history, politics, economics, and medicine, with literature among the minority of other subjects discussed.

Date of Existence circa 1800 (1806?)-1856?

Source of Information

1. Laws and regulations of the Glasgow Literary and Commercial Society ([Glasgow]: [s.n.], [s.d.]) (UGSC, Sp Coll Mu22-a);

2. Bannatyne, Dugald, Observations on the principles which enter into the commerce in grain, and into the measures for supplying food to the people: being the substance of an essay read to the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow (Glasgow: Printed by James Hedderwick, 1816) (UGSC, Sp Coll Mu54-e.35);

3. Wardlaw, Ralph, An essay on benevolent associations for the relief of the poor: of which the substance was read to the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow, April 1817 (Glasgow: Printed by Young, Gallie and Co, 1818) (UGSC, Sp Coll Mu18- d.25);

4. ‘Glasgow Literary & Scientific Institutions’, The Western Luminary, Vol. I, No. 3, 17 January 1824, p. 19 (UGSC, Sp Coll Mu60-f.31, Sp Coll Bh12-e.12)

5. List of essays read by the members of the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow, from session 1806 to session 1830 (UGSC, Sp Coll Mu22-a.8);

6. Atkinson, Thomas, Sketch of the origin and progress of the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow, with … plans for the publication of a portion of its transactions; being the substance of an essay read before it in January, 1831 (Glasgow: [?], 1831) (UGSC, Sp Coll Mu22-b.25);

7. Watson, James, Remarks on the opening of the British trade with China, and the means of its extension: being the substance of a paper read to the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow (Glasgow: John Smith & Son; Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood & Sons, 1843) (UGSC, Sp Coll Robertson Bf66-d.18);

8. Watson, James, A paper on the present railway crisis: read at the Literary and Commercial Society of Glasgow held on the 26th March 1846 (Glasgow: W. Lang, 1846) (UGSC, Sp Coll Mu22-c.6);

9. ‘Glasgow Literary and Commercial Society’, ‘Educational and Literary Institutions’, Post-Office Glasgow Directory for 1856, 1857… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1856), p. 85; (ML, NLS)

10. Kilpatrick, James A., Literary Landmarks of Glasgow (Glasgow: Saint Mungo Press, 1893), p. 28 (UGSC, Sp Coll Mu24-a.34);

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes The full title of The Western Luminary is as follows: The western luminary, or, Glasgow literary and scientific gazette, embracing, Reviews of all new and interesting publications — Discussions of all important matters connected with the West of Scotland — Biographical memoirs of such living and dead individuals as possess peculiar claims on our sympathy or regard — Original essays upon men and manners, institutions and priciples — Poetry, written and selected for the work — Anecdotes and extracts — Arts and science — Truth and fiction, conducted by the Writers of the Free Press, and other literary gentlemen of Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

From the Mitchell Library online catalogue:

‘Notes: Additional information: 1 v (208p.); 28cm[,] Bound with: Select views of Glasgow and its environs / engraved by Joseph Swan … Glasgow : Joseph Swan, 1828, in a volume with spine title The western luminary, Andrew Bain Memorial, Lacks nos. 14-16, no.18’ [accessed 31 January 2018].

Literary and Scientific Association (associated with the Chartist Church, Glasgow)

Overview

There is little currently known about this association. The article in the Northern Star mentions that there were three Chartist churches in Glasgow at the time (‘Chartist Intelligence. Glasgow’, Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser, 31 July 1841, p. 2). To date, it is unknown which church the group was associated with. (For a brief summary of the Chartist movement, see Glenn Everett’s article, Chartism‘ or The Chartist Movement‘ on The Victorian Web.)

Date of Existence at least 1841-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Chartist Intelligence. Glasgow’, Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser, 31 July 1841, p. 2;

2. Scottish Patriot, 30 January 1841

(Note: both of these references are from Fraser, W. Hamish,Chartism in Scotland (Pontypool, Wales: Merlin Press, 2010), p. 256)

Repository

–

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

The Northern Star and the Scottish Patriot are available through theBritish Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/.

Literary Debating Society

Overview

The information that we have on this society comes from the magazine that was produced by the group members (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). In the three issues that were produced, there is no mention of how often the group met, where they held their meetings, nor how many members it had, but we do know that it was exclusively composed of young men.

According to the preface of the December 1846 issue, the society’s object (i.e. the purpose for meeting) was its members’ intellectual improvement, which was to be facilitated through a series of organised debates. On the last page of the January 1846 issue, there is a list of the society’s debates that were to be held that month.

Date of Existence

1845?-1846?

Source of Information

The Literary Magazine, ed. by members of the Literary Debating Society, No. 1 (Glasgow: Printed by George Richardson, 1845);The Literary Magazine, ed. by members of the Literary Debating Society, Dec. 1845-Feb. 1846 (Glasgow: George Richardson 1846)

Repository

University of Glasgow Special Collections

Reference Number

Sp Coll Mu1-d.13; Sp Coll RB 3049

[Note: the University of Glasgow Special Collections holds two copies]

Additional Notes

From the University of Glasgow online catalogue: ‘Library holds: No. 1-3, 1 Dec. 1845-13 Feb. 1846. Copy at Mu1-d.13 has front and back covers of no.1 & 2, and front cover of no. 3, bound in. Copy at RB 3049 is item 1 of 5 bound together’ [accessed 31 January 2018].

See also entry for The Literary Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds. Literary Society of St. Ninian’s Parish Church

Overview

Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of St. Ninian’s Parish Church, located at 429 Crown Street, in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see the entry for ‘Gorbals, Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on ScotCities website).

There is little currently known about this society. The information we have comes from an annotated newspaper clipping which is only identified as being from the Citizen (it is currently unknown if this is the Glasgow Citizen, or the Evening Citizen). The article reports on a debate entitled ‘Should an Eight Hours Bill be passed?’ that was held between a member of this society and a member from the Renwick Free Church (the vote was close but was won for the negative).

Date of Existence

1890?-?

Source of Information

(Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Citizen 2/12/90’, in Minute Book of the Renwick Free Church Literary Association: Minute entry, 29 November 1890, Renwick Free Church Literary Association, 1889-1892, p. 58 [reverse side]

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

TD 396/30/1

Additional Notes

This society should not be confused withThe Debating and Literary Society, St. Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Glasgow (1899-1934?). See also Renwick Free Church Literary Association, with whom this society had a joint debate on 1 December 1890.

Macaulay Literary Club

Overview

It is currently unknown if this club was named for Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800-1859), possibly as a tribute to him and his influential writing on British history, his death occurring only five years prior to the club’s formation.

To date, we have little information on this group. The Glasgow Post Office directory offers us few details:

‘MACAULAY LITERARY CLUB. Office-Bearers 1864-65. Robert Scott, F.S.A., Edin., president; James Anderson and Eben. Russell, vice-presidents; Peter Moir, 8 Prince Albert Drive, Queen’s Park, secretary; James Beveridge, treasurer; Thomas Carruthers, M.A., John Grafton, and David Wright, directors. The club meets every alternate Saturday during the session (October till April), at 6:30 p.m., in Buchanan’s Hotel, 4 South Portland Street’.

(‘Macaulay Literary Club’, ‘Literary and Scientific Societies’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1864, 1865… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1864), p. 90)

Buchanan’s Hotel was located in the south side of the city, just across the River Clyde. The place and earlier time of the group’s meetings as compared to other clubs suggest that the Macaulay club was probably a supper and social club.

Date of Existence

1864?-?

Source of Information

‘Macaulay Literary Club’, ‘Literary and Scientific Societies’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1864, 1865… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1864), p. 90 Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Mauchline Society (aka Glasgow- Mauchline Society)

Overview

Mauchline is a town in East Ayrshire. Robert Burns lived there for a time on Mossgiel Farm.

This society was also a Burns club, and its members met at the the Christian Institute (Bothwell Street) in the early twentieth century (at least). (For more information about this institute, see theChristian ‘ Institute‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

In 1897, this was a fairly large group, with a reported 120 members on its roll. This number would fall to 60 in the next year, and reached a low point of ‘about 30 members’ in 1907, before recovering slightly in 1908 (n. 40). In 1904, the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory listed the club’s object as:

‘[…] to afford relief to those in needful circumstances, to obtain situations to persons of good character, and to promote friendly intercourse among those connected with Mauchline in Glasgow; to erect, endow, hold, preserve, and manage the National Burns Memorial and Cottage Homes, Mauchline’.

(‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (January 1904), p. 142)

Date of Existence

1888-1934? (uncertain: date taken from last year info. given in online catalogue)

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’,in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 155;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation January 1898), p. 142:

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1899’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1899), p. 159;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (January 1904), p. 142;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), p. 151; 6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1907), p. 162;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1908’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1908), p. 136;

8. (Mentioned in Minutes of the Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 30 March 1908, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 8 November 1907-5 September 1912, p. 18);

9. ‘Glasgow Mauchline Society’, Glasgow Herald, 9 December 1921, p. 6;

10 .’National Burns Memorial and Cottage Homes, Mauchline, Ayrshire: Catalogue of Exhibits in the Museum Including a History of the Burns Memorial and Cottage Homes’, Ayrshire History [accessed 31 January 2018]

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle, Minutes, and Glasgow Herald)

National Library of Scotland (Annual Burns Chronicle, and Glasgow Herald)

Reference Number

891709 (MLSC) (Minutes)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Monday Shakspere Club

Overview

According to the 1881 printed list of rules for this group, the group’s object was the study of Shakespeare’s works. The meetings were to alternate between the reading of a play and criticism (i.e. discussion). The meetings in which criticism was to feature would begin with a paper on the play that was previously read.

The entry free upon joining was 2s 6d, and 5s for the year, which made this an expensive club to join. Members would most likely have been from the middle class. Membership was restricted to 20 (later changed to 30), but there were usually less than a dozen attendant at each meeting. Books were bought by the club upon the approval of the majority of the members.

This club was unusual in that it initially had two sessions during the year (the norm was one): meetings were held at 8pm on the first Monday of the month between April and September, and on the first and third Mondays between October and March. Later, the rules were revised, reducing the meetings to one session, with meetings being held only between the months of October and May on the second and fourth Mondays at 8pm. Date of Existence

10 April 1879-November 1882?

Source of Information

Monday Shakspere Club, Minute Book, 1879-82 (includes printed ‘Rules’, various years, and printed ‘Monthly Abstract of Proceedings’, 9 June 1882)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Baillie’s Library, 35495

Additional Notes

This club should not be confused with the Glasgow Shakspere Club (1838-1850?).

Mosspark Burns Club

Overview

Mosspark is an area of Glasgow located south of Bellahouston Park, in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see Irene Maver’s article, No‘ Mean City: 1914 to 1950s. Neighbourhoods: Mosspark‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

There is little currently known about this club. The only information we have comes an entry in the minute book of another Burns club, the Glasgow and District Burns Club, where the club is mentioned.

Date of Existence

1914?-?

Source of Information (Mentioned in Minutes of Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 3 September 1914, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 12 September 1912 – 30 April 1919, p. 66)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

891709

Additional Notes

See also the Glasgow and District Burns Club.

National Burns Club, Ltd., Glasgow

Overview

This group had its own Club Rooms, which were located at 93 Douglas Street (just off St. Vincent Street, and to the west of the city centre). Later, it had its own library.

The ‘Club Notes’ of the 1905Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory proudly announced the opening of the newly-rented rooms to its members:

‘NATIONAL BURNS CLUB. The persistent efforts of Burns enthusiasts in Glasgow, aided by such well-known admirers of the poet as J. Jeffrey Hunger, Jas. Ballantyne, D. C. Wardrop, and others, to form a first-class institution as a permanent rallying place and centre, have been crowned with success. A large flat of commodious rooms were rented on the 11th November, 1904, and over twenty pounds expended on papering and painting. Mr Joseph Martin, the honorary treasurer, was most indefatigable in adding to the list of membership, and when the lease was signed over a hundred members were on the roll and numerous additions promised. The printed rules declare that the objects of the club are (1) the promotion of the study of Burns’s works, and Scottish literature generally; (2) the collecting of books, prints, and pamphlets connected therewith; and (3) social intercourse and recreation. Already a copy of the first edition of Currie’s Life of Burns has been gifted, and other donations of prints or books will be gladly received by the honorary secretary, D. C. Waldrop. 65 Oswald Street, Glasgow’

(‘Club Notes’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: The Burns Federation, January 1905), p. 103)

This was a place where members — both town and country — paid entry money and then a yearly subscription. They could also own shares in the club. They could play billiards, buy magazines, use the telephone, buy liquor and tobacco, and generally hang out in the club rooms any day of the week except Sunday.

Date of Existence

1904-1932? Federated 1904

Source of Information

1. ‘Club Notes’, and ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), p. 103, p. 160;

2. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), pp. 123-24;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1907), p. 171;

4. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), pp. 135-36;

5. ‘Club Notes’, ‘Obituary’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 12;

6. ‘Club Notes’ in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), pp. 131-32;

7. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), pp. 130-31;

8. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 175;

9. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914′, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), p. 2168;

10. (9 MS vols of minutes, cash, & visitors books, receipts, etc.; Annual Summaries, share ledger, minute, cash, letter and visitors’ books, 1909-1932 (MLSC, 891022)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle, and minutes, etc.)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

891022 (MLSC) (minutes, cash books, etc.)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Mr D. C. Wardrop (see listing for ‘Club Notes’, ‘Obituary’, 1910, above), was one of the founders and first Secretary of the National Burns Club, Glasgow. He was also Secretary of the Sandyford Burns club, in addition to being a member of Queen’s Park Burns Club. He was also See also Glasgow Queen’s Park (Burns Club) and Sandyford Burns Club.

National Home Reading Group (Oatlands Public School English Literature Branch)

Overview

The National Home Reading Union was formed in 1889 by John Brown Paton, and was based on the popular Chautauqua movement in North America. Its object was to provide a guided reading programme for all classes, but particularly artisans and young people. (For more information on the history of the National Home Reading Union, see Robert Snape, ‘The National Home Reading Union’, ournalJ of Victorian Culture, 7 (2002), 86-110).

Oatlands is an area in the south side of Glasgow and is part of the Gorbals. (For more information on this area, see the entry for Gorbals,‘ Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website). Oatlands Public School was located on Caledonia Road.

According to the prospectus for this school, in addition to the ‘Evening Classes for Lads, Girls, Young Men and Women’, also on offer were ‘Commercial Classes’, which included a class in English literature. This class was to be a branch of the National Home Reading Union.

Date of Existence

1908-?

Source of Information Departmental Records; Further Education; Evening Classes, Continuation Classes and Further Education; Prospectuses 1908-1909

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

D-ED 6/2/2

Additional Notes

–

New Literary and Philosophical Society

Overview

The formation of this new group is discussed in an article published in 1824 that also included a summary of a number of different Glasgow literary societies. The foundations of New Literary and Philosophical Society were laid out at an introductory meeting held in early January 1824. A society was to be formed for the polite discussion of all topics, particularly science and literature, but avoiding politics and religion. The article also provides an extract of a report that was to be read at the next meeting, which includes the ‘objects’ of the new group (i.e. the purpose for meeting). These included the promotion of discussion on literature and philosophy, and to develop the members’ rhetorical skills particularly extempore speaking. The group also aspired to form its own library.

The first meeting of the New Literary and Philosophical Society is reported to have been on 13 January 1824 at the Black Bull Inn, Trongate. (For more information on this inn, see ‘Black Bull Inn‘ on the Old Glasgow Pubs website.) Meetings were to be held every Wednesday. Three Wednesdays of the month were to be on pre-selected topics chosen by the Committee, and the fourth to the reading of essays and translations.

The article closes by predicting a successful future for this group, and suggests that it was likely to be similar to the Speculative Society of Edinburgh.

Date of Existence

13 January 1824-?

Source of Information

‘Glasgow Literary & Scientific Institutions’,The Western Luminary, or Glasgow Literary & Scientific Gazette, Vol. I, No. 3, 17 January 1824, pp. 19-20

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 310427

Additional Notes

The full title of this periodical is as follows: The western luminary, or, Glasgow literary and scientific gazette, embracing, Reviews of all new and interesting publications — Discussions of all important matters connected with the West of Scotland — Biographical memoirs of such living and dead individuals as possess peculiar claims on our sympathy or regard — Original essays upon men and manners, institutions and priciples — Poetry, written and selected for the work — Anecdotes and extracts — Arts and science — Truth and fiction, conducted by the Writers of the Free Press, and other literary gentlemen of Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

From the Mitchell Library online catalogue on this magazine:

Overview

There are varying accounts on the origin and history of this club and the Holyrood Literary Society, their histories being intertwined over the years. Further research on these clubs may help to untangle them. As we currently understand it, The New Literary Club was formed in 1892. In 1896, it became the Literary Twenty-one Club. Even later, it amalgamated with the Holyrood Literary Society and took its name on 24 September 1897, changing its name to The New Holyrood Literary Club. Later it was simply known as The Holyrood Club.

In the 1892 to 1893 session, there were 17 members on the roll (including three Honorary Members). The first meeting of the group was held at 34 Glasgow Street (the residence of the club Secretary, Philip H. Tod). The club determined to meet fortnightly on Saturday evenings at 5pm at Tod’s house (for the time being). The meetings were to alternate between essays and debates, with no games being allowed (as per the norm in some other literary societies during this period).

The club grew to 29 members by the 1895-96 session, just prior to becoming the Literary Twenty-One Club, the name being taken from the number of members it was limited to.

The annual subscription of the Literary Twenty-One Club was 1/6, which was cheaper than the average for other literary societies during this period (2s 6d). Members met at 196 West Regent Street every other Tuesday evening at 8pm. In 1896, the group started its own magazine written by and for its members (see ‘Additional Notes’). Dates of Existence

9 September 1892 – 21 April 1896; 21 April 1896 – 24 September 1897 (as Literary Twenty-One Club); on 24 September 1897 it amalgamated with the Holyrood Literary Society and took its name; on 3 October 1899, it changed to the Holyrood Literary Club; the club dissolved and a new club formed: the New Holyrood Club (later it was known simply as the Holyrood Club). The Holyrood Literary Society formed in 1894 and (inclusive of its later incarnations) was running up until 1946(?).

Source of Information

1. New Literary Club, New Literary Club Magazine, January 1893; [February?] 1893; [March?] 1893; October 1893; November 1893; December 1893; January 1894; Summer 1894; Spring 1895 [10 issues in 4 bound volumes] (MLSC, 891047);

2. Literary Twenty-one Club, Minute Book No. II, 2 February 1897-28 April 1902 (MLSC, 891047);

3. [The Literary Twenty-one Club Magazine], [Autumn?] 1896 (MLSC, 891047)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See records of the Holyrood Club (MLSC, 891047))

Additional Notes

The records for this club are housed together with records of the Holyrood Club.

See Holyrood Literary Society (New Holyrood Literary Club) and Round Table Club, with whom this club held joint meetings.

See also entry for New Literary Club Magazine and The Literary Twenty-One Club Magazine our sister website, Literary Bonds. Newton Place Literary Society, Partick

Overview

This literary society was based at the Newton Place United Presbyterian Church on Dumbarton Road, Partick, in the West End of Glasgow. (For more information on this church, see Newton‘ Place United Presbyterian Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website.)

The group was initially made up of young men from the congregation of the Newton Place Church, with others from outside the church being elected by general vote. The ‘Constitution’ lists the society’s object as its members’ moral and intellectual improvement.

Members met every other Friday at 8pm from October to April. The subscription fee was only one shilling, which was cheaper than the average for other literary societies during this period (2s 6d). This probably means that most of the members were from the working classes. In society’s first year, there were 31 members. By the 1886-87 session, there were 69 members. This number included 12 ladies, women being allowed to join in the 1885-86 session.

Date of Existence

(revived in 1881) 1881-?

Source of Information

Glasgow, Newton Place United Presbyterian Church, UF, and Church of Scotland, Literary Society Minutes, 1881-89

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1004/25 Additional Notes

–

Original Union Club

Overview

There is very little information currently known about this club. The information that we have comes from a newspaper clipping from the ‘Times’, possibly theGlasgow Evening Times. This newspaper article was placed in a scrapbook complied by William Young (1845-1916). Young was a Glasgow artist and his series of scrapbooks are housed in the Mitchell Library.

The article was written many years after the Original Union Club had ceased to exist, and the author claims to be using information from the club minute book, which is apparently to hand. Unfortunately, it appears that the minutes and the scrapbook of original poetry he describes have not survived.

According to this anonymous author of the article, ‘Old Glasgow Poets’ Club’, the Original Union Club was more of a social drinking club that met in the Pope’s Eye Tavern in 1831 and 1832 (at least). The club business was to raise frequent toasts, and to read original poetry aloud to the group. If the poems passed muster, they would be recorded into a club scrapbook (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). A list of former members is provided, and the ‘chief poets’ of the club are identified, all of whom were either Whigs or Tories, there being ‘no Radicals present’.

Date of Existence

1831?-?

Source of Information

(Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Times. 9 Dec. 1908’ [‘Old Glasgow Poets’ Club’]

Repository Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 21, p. 54

Additional Notes

See also entry for Original Union Club (Title currently unknown, ‘MS scrapbook of verse’), on our sister website, Glasgow’s Literary Bonds.

Overnewton Literary Club

Overview

Overnewton was part of the Yorkhill area in the West End of Glasgow, located roughly across the road from the grounds of the Kelvingrove Museum. It is currently unknown if this group was associated with the Overnewton Public School on Lumsden Street, or the Emmanuel Congregational Church, which was located on Overnewton Square. (For more information on the Overnewton Public School, see the entry for ‘Kelvin School for the Partially Sighted‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

The information on this club comes from the group’s own newspaper — or rather, their magazine, as members called it — that was written by and for the members (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

The club met weekly on Saturday evenings to hear talks about an eclectic range of subjects, as per the norm with literary societies in the nineteenth century. In addition, there was a political debate, a ‘Hat Night’ — wherein members drew topics from a hat and had to speak extempore for a set amount of time — and a social evening on the syllabus between January and March 1901.

Date of Existence

1901?-? Source of Information

The Overnewton Whisper, No. 2, 26 February 1901

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Mitchell (GC) CD f072 91445 OVE

Additional Notes

See also entry for The Overnewton Whisper on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Palaver Society

Overview

The first meeting of this society was held at the Ramshorn Inn (which might be the same as the Ramshorn Bar, 437 Arglye Street, in the city centre) at the end of May 1831. (For more information on this bar, see the entry for The‘ Ramshorn Bar‘ on the Old Glasgow Pubs website). In June of that year, members voted to move their meetings to the Argyll Cafe Coffee House, described in the minutes as ‘the premises in the Argyll Arcade under the Superintendance [sic] of the Temperance Society […] and if convenient, in the same place in time to come on the Evenings for conversation’ (Minute entry, 9 June 1831, Palaver Society Minute Book, 1831-34). This suggests that the group was pro-Temperance.

According to the society’s ‘Rules’, the group’s object was to promote learning amongst its members and to improve their skills in extempore speaking. It is unknown how much the group charged for its entrance fee, as this space in the minutes has been left blank.

Members met weekly on Thursday evenings for debates and for conversation on alternate weeks. At the meetings, there was an eclectic mix of topics covered in the fields of literature, history, science, but religion, particularly ‘Controversial Theology’, was explicitly forbidden.

This society was stricter than other groups in the sense that it imposed fines for a number of different ‘offenses’: a member could receive a hefty fine for: lateness (6d); absence (1s, unless unavoidable); failing to deliver an essay of the required length (2s); and ‘intemperate language’, swearing or ‘abusive ungentlemanlike remarks or behaviours’ (6d, later repealed). There are 46 names listed between 20 October 1831 and 30 April 1835.

Date of Existence

28 May 1831-1834?

Source of Information

Palaver Society Minute Book, 1831-34

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

891491

Additional Notes

–

Partick Burns Club

Overview

Partick is an area in the West End of Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see the entry for ‘Partick, Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website). This was a fairly large Burns club, having 213 members in 1896. Membership would drop in the next year to 113, before rising again to 155 in 1902.

The late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century issues of the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory only offer lists of the office bearers, and the number of members on the roll for the years given above. A more detailed history is available on the club’s website:

‘History The Partick Burns Club was instituted in 1885 and has met to honour Robert Burns every January since then, with the exception of some years during the First and Second World Wars. The Club was founded by the merchants, trades people and members of the Burgh council and the Presidents up to 1912 (when Partick was incorporated into greater Glasgow) were almost uniquely the Provosts of the Burgh.

The Club survived incorporation into Glasgow and between the wars continued its Annual membership. Thanks to the chain of office the names of the Presidents are recorded, however little else of this part of the Club’s history is known. After the Second World War, the suppers continued, however again, with the exception of the names of Presidents, little else is known […]

Originally and up to the Great War the Supper venues were local hotels and the Partick Burgh Hall itself.’

(‘About Us’, The Partick Burns Club [accessed 21/03/18])

Date of Existence

1885-present. Federated 1895

Source of Information

1. (Member’s card for John White Jr Esq; small printed advertisement for Partick Burns Club Annual Dinner, 25 January 1887) (MLSC, Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 21, p. 136);

2. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘Partick Burns Club’, The Press, 31 January 1891 (on annual dinner of the club, 26 January 1891) (MLSC, Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 21, pp. 178-79);

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 136;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 155;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1902’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1902), p. 140;

6. The Partick Burns Club Homepage [accessed 21/03/18];

7. ‘Partick Burns Club’, ‘BurnsWikipedia Clubs’, [accessed 21/09/15]

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Glasgow Scrapbooks, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Overview

Partick is an area in the West End of Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see the entry for ‘Partick, Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website).

The evidence for this group comes from issues of the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory. At the beginning of the twentieth century, this Burns club met on the third Tuesday of the month between October and April (with the exception of January, meeting on or around the poet’s birthday) at the Windsor Restaurant in Partick. In May, members met for the Annual Excursion.

In 1905, the club’s object, or purpose, was to meet for ‘lectures, dinners, excursions, social enjoyment, and study of Burns literature’, and this was expanded to included Scottish literature in 1914 (at least).

(‘Club Notes’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), p. 111)

Date of Existence

26 November 1903-1914? Federated 1904

Source of Information

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), p. 160; 3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 172;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), p. 216

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Pollokshaws Burns Club Overview

Pollokshaws is an area in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see Irene Maver’s article, No‘ Mean City: 1914 to 1950s. Neighbourhoods: Pollokshaws‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

This Burns club had 70 members in 1896, which dropped to 60 in 1899. In the 1906 Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, it was reported that the group met at the Lesser Burgh Hall, Pollokshaws. (The Lesser Hall is part of the Pollokshaws Burgh Hall. For a brief history of the building, see ‘Pollokshaws Burgh Hall‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

Meetings were held monthly at 8pm on the last Friday, ‘or other convenient evening’. The club’s object, or purpose, was:

‘[…] to endeavour by subscriptions, donations, and such other means as may be available, to establish a fund which shall be used for the encouragement of the study of Scottish literature amongst the inhabitants of Pollokshaws and district, or for any special educational purpose — purely Scottish — which shall be approved of by the Club at any Annual or Special Meeting; to hold yearly a children’s competition in the singing and recitation of previously selected portions of the Poet’s works, and give medals and prizes for excellence therein to the successful competitors.’

(‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), p. 161)

Date of Existence

25 January 1886-? Federated 1905

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in Minutes of Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 30 March 1908, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 8 November 1907-5 September 1912, p. 18);

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, Vol. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 141; 3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1899’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, Vol. VIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1899), p. 168;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), p. 161

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Minutes, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

891709 (MLSC) (Minutes)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Overview

Pollokshields is an area in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see see Gerald Blaikie’s article, ‘Pollokshields, Glasgow. Origins & History‘, on the ScotCities website). Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of the Pollokshields Free Church, located on Shields Road. (For more information on this church, see ‘Glasgow — Pollokshields‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

The evidence for this society comes primarily from the magazine that was produced in manuscript by and for the society’s members (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). In the 1880s, the group met for weekly meetings at the church. In starting a magazine for their society, members hoped to improve the skills they had acquired at the meetings. Members aspired to improve not only their rhetorical but also their writing skills. The magazine, it was said by its editors, could be used as a marker of the progress that each contributor had made in his own work.

Date of Existence

1883?-1887?

Source of Information

1. Pollokshields Free Church Literary Institute, The Essayist. A M.S. Magazine, No. 2, Session 1883-84 (MLSC, G97615);

2. ‘Under the Reading Lamp’, Quiz, April 1885, p. 40 (review of The Essayist) (UGSC, Sp Coll Bh13-y.1-36);

3. (Listed as having a joint debate with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute on 22 November 1886 and on 3 February 1887: ‘Syllabus’, 1886-1887, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912, GCA, CH3/1471/45) (Note: the 1886-1887 session is the first year in which joint debates were held between these two societies; there are other joint debates held in subsequent years; see Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912 for details)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives (GCA)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Reference Number

(See ‘Source of Information’)

Additional Notes

See also Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UK Church Literary Institute, Victoria Free Church Literary Institute, and Queen’s Park Free Church Literary Society with whom they held joint debates.

From the University of Glasgow Special Collections catalogue on the available issues of Quiz: ‘Library Has v.1 (Mar. 1881:18) – v.36 (July 1898:7) missing vol. 1 no. 7’ [accessed 31 January 2018].

See also entry for The Essayist on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Pollokshields Literary and Art Circle

Overview

Pollokshields is an area in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see the entry forPollokshields, ‘ Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website). The information that we currently have on this society comes solely from the magazine that was produced by and for society members in manuscript (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). In 1890, there were 30 men and women listed as members. The contributions in the magazine offer few clues about the society that produced them. There is a piece called ‘The Romance of a Literary & Art Circle’ (pp. 11-25) about a fictional literary group called the Lonsdale Art & Literary Cirlce, but it not possible to discern to what extent the group represented in the story resembles the Pollokshields circle.

Date of Existence

1890?-?

Source of Information

Pollokshields Literary and Art Circle, P.L.A.C. Monthly Magazine, May 1890

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

891359

Additional Notes

See also entry for P.L.A.C. Monthly Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Pollokshields Parish Church Literary Society

Overview

Pollokshields is an area in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see Gerald Blaikie’s article, Pollokshields,‘ Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website). Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of the Pollokshields Parish Church. (For more information about this church, see ‘Shields Road‘ on The Glasgow Story website). There is little currently known about this society. The only evidence we have to date comes from the syllabi of another literary group, the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, which list the date on which the Pollokshields Parish Church Literary Society was scheduled to participate in a joint debates with them (see below).

Date of Existence

1901?-?

Source of Information

1. (Listed as having a joint debate with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute on 18 January 1904: ‘Syllabus’, 1903-1904, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912);

2. (Listed as having a joint debate with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute on 16 January 1905: ‘Syllabus’, 1904-1905, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1471/45

Additional Notes

See also Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UK Church Literary Institute with whom this society held a joint debate.

Possilpark Burns Club Overview

Possilpark is a district in the north of the city. (For more information on this area, see Michael Maver’s article, ‘No Mean City: 1914 to 1950s. Neighbourhoods: Possilpark‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

There is little currently known about this club. The few details we have come from the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, which lists the office bearers and the number of members for just two years: in 1896, this Burns club had 100 members, and two years later, this dropped to 70.

Date of Existence

22 March 1892-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 142;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1898), p. 151

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Provand’s Lordship Literary Club

Overview

The Provand’s Lordship Literary Club was set up for the preservation of one of the very few medieval buildings left in Glasgow. The group was founded in 1906 and met in this house, and through subscriptions and various fundraising activities, raised money for the building’s preservation. (For more information on this building, see ‘Provand’s Lordship‘ on The Glasgow Story website, and ‘Glasgow Photo Library. Provand’s Lordship‘ on the Rampant Scotland website

In the winter, they held meetings that included hearing talks about various historic Glasgow events and personas. Several volumes of Young’s Scrapbooks contain articles on this club and its activities (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1906-?

Source of Information

1. (Prospectus for ‘Proposed Provand’s Lordship Literary Club) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 14, p. 26a);

2. ‘Provand’s Lordship Literary Club. Syllabus’ (1906-07) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 19, p. 66a);

3. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘Provand’s Lordship’, (annotated:) ‘Herald. 25 July 1906.’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 14, p. 26a);

4. (Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Provand’s Lordship Literary Club. […] Herald. 28 July. 1906’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 14, p. 28);

5. (Newspaper clipping:) (Provand’s Lordship, with illustration, annotated:) ‘News. 14 Aug. 1906’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 14, pp. 32-3);

6. (Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Provand’s Lordship. […] Citizen. 7 Dec. 1906’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, No. 14, p. 84);

7. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘Provand’s Lordship Club’, (annotated:) ‘Herald. 22 Dec. 1906’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 14, p. 91);

8. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘”Provand’s Lordship”. A quaint Dinner Party’, (annotated:) ‘Citizen. 22 Dec. 1906’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, No. 14, p. 92);

9. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘An Old Glasgow Dinner’, (annotated:) ‘Times. 10 Dec. 1906’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 14, p. 56);

10. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘”Provand’s Lordship”‘, (annotated:) ‘The Bailie. 9 Jan. 1907. W. Young.’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 15, p. 3);

11. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘Glasgow’s Oldest House’, (annotated:) ‘T.P.’s Weekly. November 8, 1907’ (MLSC, Glasgow Scrapbooks, Vol. 5, p. 14);

12. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘Glasgow Provand’s Lordship Club’, (annotated:) ‘Herald. 27 May 1908’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 19, p. 6);

13. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘Provand’s Lordship Club’, (annotated:) ‘Herald. 27 May 1909’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 23, p. 80);

14. (Brochure for application for membership, including newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Herald. 4 Dec. 1909.’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 26, pp. 96A-96B);

15. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘Provand’s Lordship Club. The Glasgow Poets’, (annotated:) ‘Herald. 4 Dec. 1909’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 33, p. 14);

16. (Printed illustration of building, with William Young’s handwritten notes) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, No. 14, p. 99);

17. ‘Provand’s Lordship Literary Club’ (Certificate of Membership) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 19, p. 31) Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

This list is not all-inclusive; numerous other newspaper clippings in William Young’s Scrapbooks, housed in Mitchell Library Special Collections.

Queen Margaret College Literary and Debating Society

Overview

This group of young women met at 4.30pm on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Queen Margaret College. (For more information on this college, see’ Queen Margaret College‘ on The University of Glasgow Story website, and ‘North Park House‘ on The Glasgow Story website.) It is currently unknown if this group had any connections with the later Queen Margaret College Reading Union.

Members met to listen to talks given by invited lecturers, and to original essays, poems and sketches composed by society members. In addition, the group also held debates within the society as well as with other women’s groups, for example, the Edinburgh University Debating Society. One of its most famous members was Marion Gilchrist (1864-1952), the first woman to graduate from the University of Glasgow. (For more information on Gilchrist, see Marion‘ Gilchrist‘ on The University of Glasgow Story website).

Date of Existence

1898?-1905? Source of Information

1. Meeting minutes with printed syllabus (January 1899-May 1905);

2. Draft report (M.B.J.) (c.1898-1899)

Repository

University of Glasgow Archives Services

Reference Number

GB 0248 DC 233/2/16/4/1;

GB 0248 DC 233/2/16/4/2

Additional Notes

See Queen Margaret College Reading Union.

Queen Margaret College Reading Union

Overview

This group of young women were — or were previously– students of Queen Margaret College, membership being open to current and former students. (For more information on this college, see’Queen Margaret College‘ on The University of Glasgow Story website, and ‘North Park House‘ on The Glasgow Story website.) It is currently unknown if this group had any connections with the earlier Queen Margaret College Literary and Debating Society.

The object of the society was to promote and encourage the study of literature. The union met to listen to lectures by invited speakers, and to form reading circles. In 1908, it was reported that there were also study circles specifically for Gaelic and Irish literature, as well as Icelandic (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). The Union held an annual business meeting at which they elected officers and determined the subject of study for the coming year. In the annual statement supplied to its members, in addition to a few original contributions by union members, a guided reading list was included. The annual fee was half-a-crown (or 2s 6d, which was the average for other literary societies at this time). In its first year, the union was happy to report a membership of 134 members.

Date of Existence

1907?-1912?

Source of Information

1. Queen Margaret College Reading Union, 1908-1909 [annual report of the Queen Margaret College Reading Union, and print magazine, printed by Bone & Hulley, Glasgow] [1908], (MLSC) Mitchell (GC) 828 169800)*;

2. Queen Margaret College Reading Union, 1908-09 (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 828 431393);

3. Queen Margaret College Reading Union, [Year Book], 1908-09 (UGAS, GB 248 DC/233/2/16/7/1/5);

4. Queen Margaret College Reading Union, Year Book, 1909-10 (UGAS, GB 248 DC/233/2/16/7/1/1);

5. Queen Margaret College Reading Union, Year Book, 1910 (UGAS, GB 248 DC/233/2/16/7/1/2);

6. Queen Margaret College Reading Union, Year Book, 1911 (UGAS, GB 248 DC/233/2/16/7/1/3);

7. Queen Margaret College Reading Union, Year Book, 1912 (UGAS, GB 248 DC/233/2/16/7/1/4)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

University of Glasgow Archives Services (UGAS)

Reference Number (See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also Queen Margaret College Literary and Debating Society.

The print magazine for Queen Margaret College Reading Union’s 1908-1909 session includes a list of Office-Bearers, list of members, Constitution of the Union, Report for the 1907-08 session, Report of the Irish Reading Circles (Miss Hutton), and contributions from two members (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 828 169800).

See also entry for Queen Margaret College Reading Union Year Book on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Queen’s Park Free Church Literary Society

Overview

Queen’s Park refers to the eponymous park as well as the surrounding area in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information about this park and the surrounding area, see ‘Queen’s Park‘ on The Glasgow Story website, and ‘Queen’s Park: A short history‘, on the Friends of Queen’s Park website). Queen’s Park Free Church (now Queen’s Park Church of Scotland) was located on the corner of Queen’s Drive and Albert Avenue. (For more information about this church, see Gerald Blaikie’s article, ‘Queen’s Park Churches, Illustrated Guide‘, on the ScotCities website.)

There is little currently known about this society. The only evidence we have to date comes from the syllabi of another literary group, the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, which list the dates in various years on which the Queen’s Park Free Church Literary Society was scheduled to participate in a joint meetings with them (see below).

Date of Existence 1889?-?

Source of Information

1. (Listed as having a joint debate with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute on 26 October 1889: ‘Syllabus’, 1889-1890, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912);

2. (Listed as having a joint meeting with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, the Pollokshields Free Church Literary Institute, and Camphill United Presbyterian Church Literary Institute on 26 January 1891: ‘Syllabus’, 1890-1891, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1471/45

Additional Notes

See also Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UK Church Literary Institute, Pollokshields Free Church Literary Institute, and Camphill United Presbyterian Church Literary Institute, with whom this society held joint debates.

Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UK Church Literary Institute

Overview

Queen’s Park is located in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information about this park and the surrounding area, see ‘Queen’s Park‘ on The Glasgow Story website, and ‘Queen’s Park: A short history‘, on the Friends of Queen’s Park website). Members of this literary institute were most likely part of the congregation of Queen’s Park St. George’s United Presbyterian Church, which was located on Langside Avenue. (For more information on this church, see Queen’s‘ Park UP Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

According to the printed ‘Constitution’ ([1874-1875 session?]) for this group, the society was called the Queen’s Park United Presbyterian Church Young Men’s Literary Institute (later, it would be called the Queen’s Park U.P. Church Literary Institute). Its object was to encourage its members’ improvement and a sense of conviviality. The group met every other Monday at 8pm from October until March.

To give a snapshot of this society, in the 1902-1903 session, the group met in the church Class Room on Monday evenings (an increase from the bi-weekly meetings in the 1870s) at the church. Meetings during the session included a lecture, five debates, 16 essays, and one Musical Evening. In the Annual Report for this session, the secretary reported that there was an average of 63% of the members (or 25.9 Ordinary Members) present at the 21 meetings held that year. At the end of March, there were 27 Honorary Members, and a total of 53 Ordinary Members (18 of which were new that session) on the roll. After calculating the number of resignations (n. 7) and deaths (n. 1), there were in total 45 members.

To compare, the annual report for the 1913-1914 session shows that there was an average attendance of 28.4 members at the meetings, and 28 Honorary Members and 57 Ordinary Members on the roll, thus this group appears to have been growing during the early decades of the twentieth century. Without any extant membership rolls, it is unknown if this society ever allowed women to join.

Members of the group produced a magazine between 1874 and 1878 that included original essays, poems and artwork (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). It appears that a magazine was started again in February of the 1913-1914 session, but it does not seem to have survived (Minute entry, 30 March 1914, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Latterly Camphill Queens Park, Literary Institute Minutes, 1909-20).

Date of Existence

1872-1927?

Source of Information

1. The Queen’s Park Literary Institute Magazine, 1874, 1875, 1877-78 (GCA, CH3/1471/42-44);

2. Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912 (GCA, CH3/1471/45);

3. Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Latterly Camphill Queens Park, Literary Institute Minutes, 1903-09; 1909-20; 1921-27 (GCA, CH3/1471/39-41)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also John Street U. P. Church Literary Institute, with whom they had joint debates in the 1870s, Govanhill Literary Association, with whom they had a joint debate in 1889, Pollokshields Free Church Literary Institute, Queen’s Park Free Church Literary Society, Camphill United Presbyterian Church Literary Institute, Langside Hill United Free Church Literary Institute, and Pollokshields Parish Church Literary Society, with whom this society held joint debates in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

See also entry for The Queen’s Park Literary Institute Magazine on our sister website, Glasgow’s Literary Bonds. Reading Circle (associated with Camden Street Public School (School Board of Glasgow) Continuation Classes)

Overview

Camden Street Public School was located on Florence Street, which is located just south of the River Clyde in the Gorbals area. (For more information on this school, see ‘Ballater Occupational Centre‘ on The Glasgow Story website. For information on the Gorbals, see ‘Gorbals, Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website).

In the School Board of Glasgow’s 1907-1908 prospectus for its evening continuation classes for boys and girls as well as young men and women, a Reading Circle was advertised. The class was to use ‘cheap editions of popular educational works in Romance, Travel, Biography’, and was to be connected with the National Home Reading Union.

It is currently unknown how many young men and women did attend the course or what works they read.

Date of Existence

1907-1908?

Source of Information

Departmental Records; Further Education; Evening Classes, Continuation Classes and Further Education; Prospectuses 1907-08, 1908-09 Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

D-ED 6/2/1; D-ED 2/2/2

Additional Notes

See also Reading Circle (associated with Napiershall Public School).

Reading Circle (associated with Napiershall Public School (School Board of Glasgow) Continuation Classes)

Overview

Napiershall Public School was located on Napiershall Street, off Great Western Road in the Woodside area in the West End of Glasgow. (For more information about this school, see ‘Napiershall School‘, ‘Napiershall Street School‘, and ‘Napiershall Street Public School‘ on The Glasgow Story website. For more information about the Woodside area, see Glasgow’s‘ West End. Woodside & Firhill‘, on the ScotCities website.)

The School Board of Glasgow’s prospectus for its continuation classes announced the commencement of basic and advanced commercial and science classes in September 1907 for boys and girls, and well as young men and women. In addition, there was to be a special class just for girls and young women: a free reading circle was being started wherein they would read and discuss ‘interesting books’, the aim being to make reading ‘pleasant and profitable’. It is currently unknown how many women and girls attended this reading circle or what they read.

Date of Existence

1907-?

Source of Information

Departmental Records; Further Education; Evening Classes, Continuation Classes and Further Education; Prospectuses 1907-1908

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

D-ED 6/2/1

Additional Notes

See also Reading Circle (associated with Camden Street Public School).

Renfield Free Church Young Men’s Society for Mutual Improvement (currently unknown if this is the same society as Young Men’s Association [Renfield Street United Presbyterian Church]) Overview

In the early nineteenth century, the East Campbell Street Old Light congregationalists moved around to different premises before a church was built for them in 1823 on the corner of Renfield Street and Gordon Street. In 1858, a new church was erected at 311 Bath Street (on the corner of Elmbank Street), to the west of the city centre and near Charing Cross. (For a more complete history of this church, seeGlasgow ‘ — Renfield‘ on the the Ecclegen website. For a brief history of Professor Marcus Dods, one of the ministers of the church during the time when the young men’s society was running, see ‘Marcus Dods‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

At the first meeting, the full name of this group was given as the ‘Renfield Free Church Young men’s society for mutual improvement’. There are 30 members listed on the roll at the start. As per the rules, the young men were either part of the church congregation or of the same denomination. Although most of the them lived in and around the city centre, two members lived in the south side of the city, in the Gorbals and Tradeston areas just south of the River Clyde.

The rules of the group were modeled on those of ‘Dr Buchanan’s congregation’, which possibly refers to Robert Buchanan, D.D., who was minister of the Tron Church in Glasgow between 1843 and 1857. (For more information about the Tron Church, see ‘Glasgow — Tron‘ on the the Ecclegen website.)

The society met every other week on a Tuesday in the church session house at 8pm for the purpose of its members’ intellectual, moral and religious improvement. The annual subscription fee was 2s, which was a bit cheaper than the average in the second half of the century (2s 6d). As per the norm for this type of group, meetings were opened and closed with prayer. At the meetings, papers were read and debates were held. Once a quarter, a devotional meeting was to be held.

The society was dissolved at the end of the meeting held on 18 January 1870. In the last session, there were 10 members on the roll.

In a ‘Report of Committee appointed at meeting of Renfield Association, April 28th 1868’, the members discussed the formation of an Association Magazine to be issued monthly in manuscript (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). There were six magazines produced. Upon the dissolution of the society, the issues were allocated to six society members.

Date of Existence 26 February 1851-18 January 1870

Source of Information

Glasgow, Renfield Free Church, U.F., Young Men’s Society minutes, 1851-69

(Note: in the back of this minute book are various loose correspondence, annual and financial reports in manuscript, in addition to a printed ‘Programme’ (i.e. syllabus) for the 1869-1870 session,

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH3/1166/13

Additional Notes

See also entry for [Manuscript magazine of the Renfield Free Church Young Men’s Society] on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Renwick Free Church Branch Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association

Overview

The congregation of this church was known as the Southern Reformed Presbyterian Congregation and their church was located on Salisbury Street, located in the south side of the city in the Laurieston area. (For more information on this area, see ‘Gorbals, Glasgow. Laurieston Guide‘ on the ScotCities website). The City Union Railway bought the building in 1868 and a new church was built on nearby Cumberland Street. Eight years later they joined the Free Church. (For more information on the history of this congregation, seeGlasgow ‘ — Renwick‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

The 1885-1888 minute book records the first meeting and the admission of this group of young men as a branch of the Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association (G.U.Y.M.C.A.). A Literary Association was already running in the First Southern Section of the G.U.Y.M.C.A. (‘Boundaries – On the North, the River Clyde. On the West, Eglinton Street’) since 1877 at least. This larger group met in the Class Room on 67 Cumberland Street (the G.U.Y.M.C.A. had sectional rooms at this address), just down the street from Renwick Free Church (27 Cumberland Street).

The group met weekly on Sunday evenings from September until the end of June to hear essays read, which were discussed afterwards. The meetings were closed with prayer and a collection was taken. In the late nineteenth century, there were about 50 members, which fell to 11 members in 1914. At a meeting held in September 1914, it was agreed to suspend the society for a year due to the fall in attendance. It does not appear that it was ever revived.

Interestingly, this society had a Strangers’ Committee as well as a Canvassing Scheme from at least 1887 that were started to induce the young men in the congregation to come to the meetings. Their efforts were reported to be very successful.

The association also had its own library. In the December 1887, it was reported that there were at least 150 volumes in the collection.

About the same time that the Renwick Free Church Branch was in operation, a Youths Reading and Recreation Club club was also running under the auspices of the Glasgow Foundry Boys Religious Society, South Cumberland Street Branch, which also met at the Renwick Free Church.

The decision to form the Renwick Free Church Literary Association (9 November 1889 – 1913?) was raised at a meeting of the Renwick Y.M.C.A. held on 20 October 1889 (‘Proceedings relative to formation of Renwick Free Church Literary Association, Saturday Evening 26th Octr. 1889’, Renwick Free Church Literary Association, Literary Association minutes, 1889-1892, p. 1).

Date of Existence

4 October 1885-7 September 1914 Source of Information

1. Renwick Church of Scotland, Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Associations, Renwick Branch, minutes, 1885-88, 1888-90, 1890-93, 1895-97, 1897-1914 (GCA, TD396/35/1-5);

2. Robertson, John Macmillan, The rise and progress of the Southern Reformed Presbyterian Congregation: now called the Renwick Free Church; two lectures (Glasgow: James C. Erskine, 1887) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 285.241443 REN 159322)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives (GCA)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association and the Glasgow Foundry Boys’ Religious Society, Wellington Palace Branch.

Renwick Free Church Literary Association (not the same as Renwick Book Club, but part of same Church)

Overview

The congregation of this church was known as the Southern Reformed Presbyterian Congregation and their church was located on Salisbury Street, in the south side of the city in the Laurieston area. (For more information on this area, seeGorbals, ‘ Glasgow. Laurieston Guide‘ on the ScotCities website). The City Union Railway bought the building in 1868 and a new church was built on nearby Cumberland Street. Eight years later they joined the Free Church. (For more information on the history of this congregation, see ‘Glasgow — Renwick‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

An ‘intimation’ to form this literary association was made at a meeting of the Renwick Y.M.C.A. held on 20 October 1889 (‘Proceedings relative to formation of Renwick Free Church Literary Association, Saturday Evening 26th Octr. 1889’, Renwick Free Church Literary Association, Literary Association minutes, 1889-1892, p. 1). The first meeting was held on 9 November 1889 when 18 young men met to listen to a talk by Hugh Hamilton, the President, on ‘Self-Development’. They would continue to meet every other Saturday evening. From the very beginning, the group was determined to found its own manuscript magazine and one James McGilvery was appointed as its editor. To date, it is unknown if this magazine has survived (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

The group seems to have dissolved in 1892. In 1908, it was revived as the Renwick United Free Church Literary Society. Members met every other Thursday evening at 8pm in the Session Room of the church. There were 17 members on the roll in the 1908-09 session, which included Reverend William Simpson, Reverend W. F. Young, and four unmarried women. The minute book also records three ‘Occasional [male] Visitors’. In the following year, the group grew to 23 members, seven of whom were unmarried women. This was only ever a small group that did not exceed 25 members in its history.

The minutes record that the group held ‘Magazine Nights’, at which the Editor read aloud the contributions from the association (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). These included original essays, poems, a correspondence column and letters to the Editor. According to the minutes, the group did have at least the first two volumes bound. To date, we have not found any trace of them in the local archives.

Date of Existence

9 November 1889-1892; 9 January 1908-1913?

Source of Information

Renwick Church of Scotland [from GCA folder: ‘from 1876 Renwick Free Church’], Literary Association, minutes, 1889-1892; 1908-1913 (Note: these records are listed under different reference numbers in the Glasgow City Archives (GCA) black reference binder, and in the National Records of Scotland (NRS) online catalogue. Both are listed here: (GCA folder:) GCA, TD396/30/1-2; (NRS cat.:) GCA, CH3/1650/9/3/1-2)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives (GCA)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

The Literary Society was different from the Renwick Book Club (instituted 28 January 1859), but it appears that they both belonged to the same church. Book clubs were different than most literary societies, in that the members solicited titles (usually rare or out of print books) for the year, which they would then have printed and auction off.

This society should not be confused with the Renwick Free Church Branch Glasgow United Young Men’s Christian Association, which was a separate organisation in the same church.

See also Literary Society of St. Ninian’s Parish Church, with whom this society had a joint debate on 1 December 1890.

See also Renwick Free Church Literary Association (Magazine Evening: Magazine Later Bound) on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Rosebery Burns Club (not same as Kilbirnie Rosebery Burns Club) Overview

This was a fairly large Burns club, with 94 members on the roll in 1893, and it nearly doubled its size in 1902, with 180 members reported. The group met from September until April on Tuesdays at 8pm (later at 7.45pm). In 1914, this was changed to monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month. The venue for the meetings also changed over the years: in 1892, the club met at the Bath Hotel (8 Hope Street, just to the west of the city centre); in 1895 at the Cobden Hotel (87 Argyle Street); in 1903 at the Bank Restaurant (Queen Street); in 1905 at the Alexandra Hotel (Bath Street); in 1908 at the Prince of Wales Restaurant (Ferguson & Forrester, Limited) (Buchanan Street); then back to the Alexandra Hotel from 1911 until 1914 (at least).

The club met to hear lectures during the winter on Scottish literature, and, of course, to celebrate the works of the Bard on Burns night with a supper. In addition, it held junior and senior competitions in singing and reciting Scottish songs and poems for children and young adults. The group was keen to emphasise the ‘seriousness’ of its endeavours: in the ‘Club Notes’ of the Annual Burns Chronicle and Directory issued in 1905, following a report of that year’s competition, Mr Pollock, the president, wrote:

‘”I am glad to see that some other Clubs are following the example of the Rosebery. To my mind, if a Club can only organize a dinner on the 25th and a smoking concert or two, when drinking is the main food, intellectually and physically, of the guests, it had better not have been born. To foster the preservation of Scottish dialect in literature and song is a worthy task for a Burns Club. When Bacchanalians, who miscall themselves Burnsites, meet merely to eat and drink, they disgrace the name they profess to worship.”’

(‘Club Notes’, ‘Rosebery Burns Club, Glasgow’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), pp. 107-110 (p. 110))

The club published the lectures that were given to the club from at least 1898, copies of which were available from ‘Messrs Holmes & Co., Booksellers, Dunlop Street, Glasgow; and others’. In 1906, it published a history of the group. In 1913, in association with the Carlton Burns Club, the Rosebery club announced it would be producing six volumes of Burns’s poems in braille which were to be sold for £1 for the set.

Around 1902, the group began to host ‘inter-visitation[s] of brother Burns Clubs’. During the 1913-14 session, the invited visitors included members of the Albany, Bridgeton, Carlton, Greenock, and Sandyford Clubs (see ‘Additional Notes’).

In 1913, life membership was £30, which: ‘entitle[d] Members to all the advantages of the Club, including the privilege of bringing two friends to the Lectures and Musical Evenings of the Club’ (‘Club Notes’, ‘Rosebery Burns Club’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXII (Kilmarnock: The Burns Federation, January 1913), p. 145).

Date of Existence

1885-1913? Federated 1887

Source of Information

1. Anniversary meeting in the Bath Hotel on Wednesday, 25th Jan. 93, at 6.45p. m., Rosebery Burns Club (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 557560);

2. Rosebery Burns Club, Minutes, 27 November 1894-1905 (MLSC, 907884);

3. Opening of session 1897-98 (1898) (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 13 ROS 154844);

4. Address given to the Rosebery Burns Club, Glasgow: with special reference to the centenary Burns of W. E. Henley: January 25, 1898 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 6 BEG 209616);

5. Begg, F. Faithfull, Rosebery Burns Club, Glasgow, January 25th, 1898: speech…in proposing the toast of Caledonia and Caledonia’s bard (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 6 BEG 907881a);

6. Poems [Rosebery Burns Club] (1898) (ML, Mitchell (GC) 154844);

7. Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century (Glasgow: The Photo- Biographical Publishing Co., [1901]), p. 159 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 920.04 GLA 499009);

8. Muir, Pearson M’Adam, Robert Burns : his genius and influence: address delivered to the Rosebery Burns Club, 24th January, 1902 (ML, Mitchell (AL) 6 MUI 209662);

9. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘Rosebery Burns Club’, (annotated:) ‘Citizen. 15 March 1905’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 1, [p. 32]);

10. Cross, Alexander, The Immortal Memory: a speech to the members of the Rosebery Burns Club, January 24, 1906 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 15 CRO 889859); 11. Angus, James, The Rosebery Burns Club, Glasgow: a short sketch of its origin and growth (Glasgow: W.&R. Holmes; Stirling: E. Mackay, 1906) (NLS, General Reading Room, 1958.22);

12. ‘Rosebery Burns Club. Gold Medal Competition for Amateurs’, 28 March 1907 (MLSC, Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 23, p. 217);

13. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies for 1893’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. II (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., Glasgow and Edinburgh: J. Menzies & Co., January 1893), p. 190;

14. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 194;

15. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., January 1895), p. 176;

16. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC,ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 132;

17. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 151;

18. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898′, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burn Federation, January 1898), p. 138;

19. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1902’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1902), p. 136;

20. ‘Club Notes’, and ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), pp. 107-110, p. 149;

21. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1908′, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1908), p. 132; 22. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 161;

23. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 161;

24.’Club Notes’, and ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1913’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXII (January 1913), p. 145, p. 184

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

This Burns club sent visitors to and held joint meetings with the following:Glasgow Carlton Burns Club, Albany Burns Club, Bridgeton Burns Club, and Sandyford Burns Clubs.

‘BC‘ refers to the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, which was published yearly since 1892. Copies are available at the Mitchell Library Special Collections and the National Library of Scotland. Many of these have been digitised and are available through theRobert Burns World Federation website: http://www.rbwf.org.uk/digitised-chronicles/.

Round Table Club

Overview

There is little currently known about this club. The evidence is limited to the record of a joint meeting that appears in another literary society’s minute book (the New Holyrood Club) (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

According to the minute entry for 15 November 1911, on that evening, a joint meeting of the Round Table Club and the New Holyrood Club was held at the residence of Dr John Barlow, 4 Somerset Place (located in the Sandyford area, just to the west of Charing Cross), wherein the Round Table Club acted as hosts for the evening. At the meeting, a paper entitled, ‘Journal of a walk from Glasgow to London’ was read. Following the paper and a vote of thanks, all members joined for tea. The last hour was devoted to conversation and recitations.

In addition, in the same minute book, there is affixed the Round Table Club’s syllabus for the 1911-1912 session (October through April), which includes a list of the office bearers. According to the syllabus, the group met once and sometimes twice a month. After the Opening Address at the start, the session was to include: an essay on Thackeray; a debate on the ‘Nationalisation of Railways’; the joint meeting described above; a debate on ‘Should Education be purely Secular?’; an essay on the ‘Work of Lister’; an essay on ‘Man and the Brute’; a debate on ‘Theosophy’; another (unassigned) joint meeting; an essay entitled, ‘Ideal of a National Church’; which also included a Social Evening, and ended with the annual Business Meeting.

Date of Existence

1911?-?

Source of Information (Mentioned in Minute Book of New Holyrood Club: Minute entry, 15 November 1911, Minute Book of New Holyrood Club, Volume 4, 14 January 1905-29 March 1913;)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(Records of Holyrood Club (891047))

Additional Notes

See New Holyrood Club (formerly the Holyrood Literary Society), and New Literary Club, with whom this club had joint meetings.

Royalty Burns Club

Overview

According to the club’s website, this Burns club was formed by a few Glasgow Publicans in 1882. Various issues of theAnnual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory published at the end of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries provide more details. The group had a membership of moderate size at the end of the nineteenth century, with between 60 and 65 members on the rolls between 1894 and 1897. By 1900, the group had grown to more than double its size (n. 170).

Members met on the last Thursday of the month from October until the end of March. The venue for the meetings would change over the years: in 1882, the club met at a pub in Hope Street (the name is currently unknown); in 1893 at the Alexandra Hotel on Bath Street; in 1895 at Thomas White & Smith’s (according to the Glasgow Post Office directory for 1895, they were ‘restauranteurs, wine merchants, bakers and purveyors’) at 7 Gordon Street; and in 1912 at the Bank Restaurant on Queen Street.

Date of Existence 1882 (the 1893 Annual Burns Chronicle gives 1883 as the date of institution)-present; Federated 1886

Source of Information

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 192;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., January 1895), p. 173;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 129;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 149;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1900’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1900), p. 135;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1902’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1902), p. 134;

8. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1903’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1903), p. 142;

9. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 158; 10. Royalty Burns Club Homepage [accessed 23/09/15]

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Ruskin Society of Glasgow; Society of the Rose Overview

The Glasgow Post Office directory published in 1881 provides the earliest information we have to date on this group and lists the office bearers and committee members. In addition, it gives the aims of the society, which were:

‘(1) to encourage and promote the study and circulation of Mr. Ruskin’s writing; (2) to form a centre of union for Mr. Ruskin’s friends and disciples; and (3) to promote such life and learning as may fitly and usefully abide in this country. Members and associates have the use of the collection of Mr. Ruskin’s writings belonging to the society. The society offers readings from Mr. Ruskin’s works, or papers on his teachings, to mutual improvement and kindred associations.’

(‘The Ruskin Society of Glasgow’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1881-1882… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1881), p. 113)

In 1902, the meetings for this society were held fortnightly at the Masonic Chambers, located at 100 West Regent Street. The annual subscription in that year was 5 shillings, which made it more expensive than most other groups at that time, which charged on average 2s 6p per session. This group was most likely made up of middle- class members.

Date of Existence

1879-?

Source of Information

1. Records of the Ruskin Society of Glasgow: Society of the Rose, 1882-1909 (Minute books, library records, letter book, etc., c.1882-1909) (UGSC, MS Gen 1093 (1-10));

2. ‘The Ruskin Society of Glasgow’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1881-1882… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1881), p. 113;

3. ‘The Ruskin Society of Glasgow Society of the Rose’, ‘Educational Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1902-1903… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1902) p. 183

Repository

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Post Office directory)

National Library of Scotland (Glasgow Post Office directory) University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Sandyford Burns Club

Overview

Sandyford is an area located just to the west of Charing Cross. TheGlasgow and District Burns Association website gives a brief history of the founding of this club:

‘The clubs’ [sic] motto is taken from the poem “Contented Wi Little and Cantie Wi Mair” written by Burns ninety-nine years before the club’s foundation in 1893. Burns admirers and appreciators in the Sandyford district of Glasgow had been circulated and invited to attend a public meeting called by John McDougall, then the master of the St. Vincent Sandyford Masonic Lodge. At the meeting McDougall was invited to chair the new club which then embarked on an almost unbroken run of annual dinners and other social events with the express purpose of Guid Fellowship which have raised large sums of money for benevolent purposes.’

(David Sibbald, The‘ Sandyford Burns Club‘, Glasgow and District Burns Association [accessed 01 April 2018])

At the end of the nineteenth century, this club grew very quickly in a short amount of time: from a membership of 93 in 1895, three years later it had more than doubled its size (n. 213). From the evidence provided by issues of the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, it appears that this club only met a couple of times a year. For example, the annual meeting in 1904 was held on the third Tuesday in March, with the group only meeting once before for Burns night on January 25th. This may have changed around 1909, when it was reported that in addition to the annual Burns dinner and dance, the club also held ‘lectures and social and musical evenings in [the] Grand Hotel, Glasgow’ (‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 167).

The venue for the meetings would change over the years. In 1895, the club met at the Masonic Hall, Overnewton (Overnewton is an area roughly where Yorkhill is located, across the road from the Kelvingrove Museum). In 1903, the annual dinner was held at the Grand Hotel at Charing Cross on January 26th (presumably due to scheduling difficulties on the 25th). In 1905, the club met at the Masonic Chambers at 100 West Regent Street, and it was noted in brackets that this was the Secretary’s Office. The Grand Hotel would again be the venue for the meeting held in 1914.

Date of Existence

1893-present; Federated 1894

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., January 1895), p. 179;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. ‘Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 136;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 154;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1898), p. 142;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1899’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock, Burns Federation, January 1899), p. 159;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), p. 152;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 167;

8. ‘Club Notes’, ‘Obituary’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 12;

9. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January, 1914), p. 207;

10. Sandyford Burns Club: annual dinner, Grand Hotel, Charing Cross, Monday, 26th January 1903 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) BNS24 SAN);

11. The Sandyford Burns Club: the fortieth anniversary dinner and ball: the Ca’doro Restaurant, Union Street, Glasgow, Wednesday 25th January 1933 at 6 p.m. (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) BNS24 SAN 907992);

12. ‘The Sandyford Burns Club’, Glasgow and District Burns Association [accessed 08/05/15]

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) Annual( Burns Chronicle, and annual dinners)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle) Additional Notes

Mr D. C. Wardrop (see listing for ‘Club Notes’, ‘Obituary’, 1910, above) was Secretary of this Burns club, in addition to being a member of Queen’s Park Burns Club. He was also one of the founders and first Secretary of the National Burns Club, Glasgow. See also Glasgow Queen’s Park (Burns Club) and the National Burns Club, Ltd., Glasgow.

This Burns club sent visitors to and held joint meetings with the following:Rosebery Burns Club, Glasgow Carlton Burns Club, Albany Burns Club, and Bridgeton Burns Club.

Sandyford Church Literary Association (appears to be the same as Sandyford Established Association)

Overview

Sandyford is an area located just to the west of Charing Cross. The evidence for this group comes solely from the manuscript magazine that its members founded. At the very end of the 1883 issue is transcribed an ‘Extract from Report submitted to the Fifth Annual meeting of Sandyford Church Literary Association, 7th April 1884′.

This extract states that the association’s meetings had recently changed from fortnightly to weekly gatherings. According to the report, the increase in the frequency of the meetings resulted in an increase in the number of members, along with an increase in the number of members attendant at those meetings. In addition to seven lectures, five debates were held which included two joint-debates with Free St. George’s Literary Association and the Park Literary Institute (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). The group also held their annual dinner on March 10th 1884 at the Grand Hotel.

It was in the 1883-1884 session that the society’s manuscript magazine was founded (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

In the ‘Preface’ to William Girvan Hendrie’s poetry anthology entitled, Poems (1899), it states that Hendrie was a member of this literary society between 1863 and 1864. With pride, it is noted that ‘not a few of the members [of this society] have become well-known men in the business or professional world’ (p. 3). During his time as a member, Hendrie wrote his first poems.

Hendrie worked in a counting-house in Glasgow and wrote poetry in his spare time, which remained unpublished in his lifetime. However, he did publish a series of articles in the Glasgow Herald on the then current state of Ireland. The poems in this anthology were reportedly not written with a view to publication, but were published as a token of the many years of labour he undertook in creating them (p. 5). His first poems were composed whilst he was a member of the Sandyford society.

Date of Existence

1879-?

Source of Information

1. Sandyford Literary Association MS Magazine (1883) (MLSC)

2. W. G. H. [William Girvan Hendrie], Poems (Paisley, and London: Alexander Gardner, 1899) (IT)

Repository

1. Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) 2. Cultural, Creative and Heritage Service, North Ayrshire Council, Irvine Townhouse (IT)

Reference Number

1. 642424 (MLSC)

2. Local & Family History Collection, DE82 (IT)

Additional Notes

See also Free St. George’s Literary Association, The Park Literary Institution, and the Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association, with whom this society held at least one joint meeting.

See also entry forSandyford Literary Association MS Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Scotch Girls Friendly Society

Overview

There is little information currently known about this group. The only information that the 1894 Glasgow Post Office directory provides is an address, which is given as 59 Elmbank Street, located to the east of Charing Cross. It is debatable whether or not this society should be included in this project. As the St. Mary’s Branch of the Young Men’s Friendly Society had a debating society (see ‘Additional Notes’ below), it is possible that the Scotch Girls Friendly Society might also have had a similar society. The Girls’ Friendly Society is described as one of the ‘various clubs and societies set up [by middle-class philanthropists] to ‘save’ and to civilise their social inferiors’ (Jane McDermid, The Schooling of Girls in Britain and Ireland, 1800-1900 (New York and London: Routledge, 2012), p. 94).

The National Archives provides a list of the records of The Girls’ Friendly Society that are housed in London University (London School of Economics, The Women’s Library), along with related materials held in other archives across the country. Included in the list of the materials at the LSE are ‘journals, magazines and books’ (‘Records of The Girls’ Friendly Society’,The National Archives ).

In future, an examination of the records of the Dumfries branch of the Scottish Girls Friendly Society may help to shed light on the Glasgow branch (see Scottish Girls Friendly Society: Dumfries branch, Dumfriesshire, 1886-1917: minutes and correspondence. Dumfries and Galloway Archives, Ref.: GGD 134).

Date of Existence

1894?-?

Source of Information

‘Scotch Girls Friendly Society’, ‘General Directory’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1894-1895… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1894), p. 556

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

See also Young Men’s Friendly Society, St. Mary’s Branch, Glasgow, Debating Society.

Overview

According to the 1915 Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, this Burns club had 101 members and nine life members on its roll in 1914. This is the only evidence we have in regards to the size of the group, so it is currently not possible to determine the fortunes of the club prior to this date.

The yearly session ran from October to April. The time of the meetings changed back and forth from 7.30pm to 8pm. The club met on the first Wednesday of the month in 1907, and in the following year and thereafter until 1914 (at least), on the first Thursday of the month. Between 1907 and 1912, meetings were held at the City Commercial Restaurant, which was located at 60 Union Street (next to Glasgow Central Station). In 1913, the group moved to An Old Oak Tea Room at 142a St. Vincent Street, to the west of the city centre.

The club’s objects also changed over the years. In 1907, members met for ‘literary and social’ purposes, to which was added ‘musical’ in the following year. In the subsequent years, ‘a better knowledge of Scottish literature’, and a promotion of ‘Burnsiana’ was also included. Interestingly, it was only in 1912 that temperance was listed as one of the features that characterised this club.

Date of Existence

25 January 1904-? Federated 27 February 1906

Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1907), pp. 173-74;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1908’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1908), p. 126;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1909’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1909), p. 176;

4. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 187;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), pp. 173-74;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 177;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1913’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1913), pp. 199-200

Repository

Mitchell Library (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Overview

The Glasgow Post Office directory for 1887-1888 provides a good summary of this society and its activities. Along with the society’s object — ‘[t]he cultivation of literature, music, elocution, and art generally, by the holding of meetings for the purpose of hearing original lectures and papers, by the holding of high-class concerts, and by exhibitions in art’ — the directory includes a rather extensive list of all its prestigious office bearers including its six vice-presidents, 13 members of council, and all the conveners of its various committees. The listing continues with a description of the group’s membership, and its enrollment procedures are described:

‘The Society has members in all parts of the world, and has upwards of 200 ladies and gentlemen on its roll. The Society consists of Fellows, Members, and Associates. Fellows are those who have distinguished [sic] themselves either in literature or art, and must be duly proposed and seconded by two Fellows, on form to be had from the secretary. Members and Associates are those interested in the objects of the Society. Subscriptions — Fellows, £5 5s. for life, or 10s. 6d. per annum; Members, £4 4s. for life, or 7s. 6d per annum; Associates, 5s. per annum. The Society’s “Calendar,” giving full particulars of the Society, and nomination forms for admission, may be obtained on application to the general secretary, Alf. J. Weyman, F.R.G.S. F.S.L.A, &c.. Bertrohill, by Shettleston, or 70 Bothwell Street.’

(‘Scottish Society of Literature and Art’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1887-1888… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1887), p. 117)

The society’s listing in the 1902 Post Office directory sees the grandiloquent description pared away, and it is currently unclear if this is to be read as a change in its outlook and/or circumstances:

‘The object of the Society is to encourage the study of literature and art, by promoting public lectures, by organising private meetings for the reading of essays and discussion among the members, by publication of its transactions, and by other kindred methods. Members pay an annual subscription of 7s 6d. They may introduce one friend to public lectures and meetings; they receive a copy of all printed matter, and have access to the library. Secretary and treasurer, George Middleton, M.A., LL. B., 83 Bath street, Glasgow.’

(‘The Scottish Society of Literature and Art’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1902-1903… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1902), p. 177)

Date of Existence

1886-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Scottish Society of Literature and Art’, ‘Literary and Scientific Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1887-1888… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1887), p. 117;

2. Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century (Glasgow: The Photo- Biographical Publishing Co., [1901]), p. 83 (ML, Mitchell (GC) 920.04 GLA 499009);

3. ‘The Scottish Society of Literature and Art’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1902-1903… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1902), p. 177

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML) (Glasgow Post Office directories, and Glasgow Contemporaries)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Glasgow Post Office directories)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Select Literary Society

Overview

There is very little currently known about this society. The only evidence we have to date comes from a contemporary magazine article that provides only one line on the group:

‘The communication of the Select Literary Society, is not exactly such as we think would interest the generality of our readers. We wish the Members of that Society every success.’

(‘Notices to Correspondents’, The Western Luminary, or Glasgow Literary & Scientific Gazette, Vol. I, No. 3, 17 January 1824, p. 24)

From this, it is unclear what elements of the society’s communication were deemed uninteresting or perhaps unworthy of the readers of The Western Luminary.

The news and articles in The Western Luminary focused on Glasgow, thus it is unlikely that the Select Literary Society mentioned therein was the Select Literary Society (later the Diagnostic Society) of Edinburgh. (For more information on the latter group, see ‘The Societies’ Section. Reports of Mutual Improvement Societies’,The British Controversialist and Literary Magazine… (London: Houlston and Wright, 1866), pp. 396-7.)

Date of Existence

1824?-?

Source of Information

‘Notices to Correspondents’, The Western Luminary, or Glasgow Literary & Scientific Gazette, Vol. I, No. 3, 17 January 1824, p. 24 Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 310427

Additional Notes

From the Mitchell Library online catalogue on the magazine:

Shakespeare Reading Class (Toynbee House, University Settlement Association)

Overview

The University Settlement Association was the University of Glasgow branch of Toynbee Hall in London, which was founded in 1884. (For a history of and details of the current work of Toynbee Hall, see their website (‘Our History’,Toynbee Hall ). For a more detailed discussion of settlement houses during this period, see Lucinda Matthews-Jones, ‘Centres of Brightness: The Spiritual Imagination of Toynbee Hall and Oxford House, 1880-1914’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Manchester, 2009)).

A ‘Memorandum’ written in 1889 by the Honorary Secretary, W. S. M’Cormick, provides a good summary of the history of the association, and gives further details on its work. Modeled on the work of social work being conducted by Toynbee Hall in London, in 1886, the Glasgow University Settlement Association hired two rooms at 130 Parson Street (located in the Townhead area, in the north of the city) in which to hold discussions and serve tea. Working-class people from the area were invited every fortnight for social evenings.

The same 1888-1889 report gives an account of the Shakespeare Reading Class. This group had thirteen members that met every two weeks during the winter months to discuss their readings on Shakespeare’s life and on English drama more generally.

Date of Existence

1888-?

Source of Information

Toynbee House (Glasgow), Report of the University Settlement Association, Toynbee House, 130 Parson Street, Glasgow, 1888-90 (Glasgow: James Maclehose & Sons, [1889?])

Repository

University of Glasgow Library

Reference Number

Research Annexe, Store MacLehose 762 Additional Notes

See also Toynbee House Literary Society (University Settlement Association).

Shettleston Burns Club

Overview

Shettleston is an area in Glasgow’s east end. (For more information on this area, see Gordon Adams’s article on the History‘ of Shettleston‘ on the East‘ Glasgow History‘ website). According to the 1902 Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, this Burns club had 46 members on its roll in that year. This is the only evidence we have in regards to the size of the group, so it is currently not possible to determine the fortunes of the club prior to and after this date.

The group met monthly (at least in 1906) at 106 Eastmuir Street, Shettleston, and moved down the street to 284 Eastmuir Street in 1910. The next year, the meetings were moved to the Loudoun Arms Hotel, Duke Street, which was also in the east end but a bit closer to the city. (For a brief history of this pub, see The‘ Loudoun Arms Hotel‘ on the Old Glasgow Pubs website). In 1914, the club was meeting at Thomas White, Ltd. (in the Glasgow Post Office directory for this year, White is listed as a ‘restaurateur, wine merchant, bakers, purveyors and confectioners’), which was located at 7 Gordon Street in the city centre. In addition to the monthly meetings, members met annually for a social meeting to celebrate the memory of Robert Burns on January 25th.

In 1912, the object of this group was: ‘To cherish the name of Robert Burns and foster a love for his writings, and generally to encourage a taste for Scottish literature’ (‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 168).

Date of Existence

1897-? Federated 1897 Source of Information

1. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1902’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1902), p. 143;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1906’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1906), p. 153;

3. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 180;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 166;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 168;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1913’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1913), p. 191;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), p. 209;

8. (Mentioned in minutes of Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 27 March 1913, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 12 September 1912-30 April 1919, p. 15 (MLSC, 891709))

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle, and minutes)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle) General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

891709 (MLSC) (minutes)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Sir Walter Scott Club

Overview

The Glasgow Post Office directory for 1896-1897 lists the prestigious office bearers and prominent members of the community who belonged to this club. In addition, it gives the group’s object, which was ‘[…] to promote the study of Sir Walter Scott’s life and writings, and encourage a more familiar acquaintance with the localities rendered classic by his pen. Information as to membership may be obtained from the treasurer or secretary.’

(‘The Sir Walter Scott Club’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1896-1897… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1896), p. 156)

The 1903-1904 Post Office directory includes the subscription fees: members were charged 2s 6d entry free, and the same for an annual membership. In the 1906-1907 directory, the life membership was listed as being £1 1s.

Date of Existence

30 March 1891-(at least 1900)

Source of Information

1. ‘The Sir Walter Scott Club’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1896-1897… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1896), p. 156;

2. Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century (Glasgow: The Photo- Biographical Publishing Co., [1901]) (MLCS, Mitchell (GC) 920.04 GLA 499009);

3. (Menu from Annual Dinner, 25 February 1909, with list of club officers for session 1908-09) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 22, p. 76);

4. (Sir Walter Scott Club, Menu and Toast List for Annual Dinner, Grand Hotel, Charing Cross, 25 February, 1909) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 22, p. 76)

Repository

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Post Office directory)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (all other listed sources)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Overview

An article on Glasgow’s societies appeared in the February 1824 issue of The Western Luminary, a literary magazine published in the city. It briefly reports on the first meeting of this society:

‘The Speculative Society of Glasgow, has, for its chief objects, the acquisition of knowledge, the advancement of truth, and the mental and moral exaltation of mankind’. At the first meeting, the first question for discussion was ‘Have the writings of Lord Byron been more beneficial than prejudicial to Society?’ [Note: the vote cast after the discussion was that he was more prejudicial than beneficial to society.]

(‘Glasgow Societies’, The Western Luminary, or Glasgow Literary & Scientific Gazette, Vol. I, No. 3, 7 February 1824, p. 42)

A second article appeared a week later, and reports on the society’s second meeting:

‘The Society, we understand, consists of sixty members, each of whom has three tickets of admission. A large library is likely to be formed from their contributions’ (‘Glasgow Societies’, The Western Luminary, or Glasgow Literary & Scientific Gazette, Vol. I, No. 7, 14 February 1824, p. 54).

Many literary societies expressed the wish to form libraries for their members’ use. Societies would use part of the subscription money to buy books — often second-hand — and contributions of books were usually sought from society members and/or any generous donors from the community. It is currently unknown if this goal was achieved by the Speculative Society.

Date of Existence

4 February 1824-?

Source of Information

1. ‘Glasgow Societies’, The Western Luminary, or Glasgow Literary & Scientific Gazette, Vol. I, No. 3, 7 February 1824, p. 42;

2. ‘Glasgow Societies’, The Western Luminary, or Glasgow Literary & Scientific Gazette, Vol. I, No. 7, 14 February 1824, p. 54

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Mitchell (AL) 310427

Additional Notes

From the Mitchell Library online catalogue on this magazine:

Spoutmouth Bible Institution (St James’ Free Church) Mutual Improvement Association

Overview

A manuscript magazine was produced by this institution in 1873 (see ‘Additional Notes’ below), but it is unclear if it was the production of a society formed within the organisation, or the result of a group effort by those working-class and lower middle- class young men attending the various classes at the Spoutmouth Bible Institution. The first (anonymous) essay, ‘The Early Days of the “Spout”, provides a colourful history of the Institution from its founding in 1848 by Michael Connal, when he hired a room in the Spoutmouth district of the city (in the Gallowgate area) for the purpose of providing a reading room with a selection of newspapers (see ‘The Early Days of the Spout’, Spoutmouth Bible Institution, The Spoutmouth Institution Magazine, No. II, 1873, pp. 5-27). (For more information about the Spoutmouth district, see ‘Spoutmouth, Gallowgate‘ on The Glasgow Story website). The Institution had a Penny Savings Bank and its own library. The essay also discusses the variety of other lectures and taught classes on offer — which included a mutual improvement class — up until 1873.

From 1893, the Spoutmouth Bible Institution Mutual Improvement Association met on Saturday evenings at 7.30 from September until the end of March. Members met to hear essays read an eclectic mix of subjects, which was the norm for these societies. This mixture of topics included papers on a number of authors and their works including Ruskin, Robert Browning’s poetry, extracts of works by Goethe, George Meredith, and Thomas More’s Utopia, to name a few.

In addition to the regular meetings, there were Burns night celebrations that included recitations, singing and readings, and an annual social meeting held at the end of each session.

The minute book does not have a list of the members, but attendance at the meetings varied from around 10 to over 40 people, the larger attendances usually being the socials.

Date of Existence

10 June 1848-1940?

Source of Information 1. Glasgow, Spoutmouth Bible Institution (St James’ Free Church), Spoutmouth Bible Institution, The Spoutmouth Institution Magazine, No. II, 16 May 1873 (GCA, CH3/1281/16);

2. Glasgow, Spoutmouth Bible Institution (St James’ Free Church) Mutual Improvement Association Minutes, 1893-98 (GCA, CH3/1281/15)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives (GCA)

Reference Number

(See ‘Source of Information’)

Additional Notes

See also entry for The Spoutmouth Institution Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Springburn Burns Club

Overview

Springburn is a district in the north of the city. (For more information on this area, see Gilbert T. Bell’s, ‘Second City of The Empire: 1830s to 1914. Neighbourhoods: Springburn‘ on The Glasgow Story website.)

There is very little currently known about this Burns club. The only information we have to date comes from a mention of the group in theMemorial Catalogue of the Burns Exhibition (1898), and a record of the President of the club attending a meeting held in London in 1885 to launch the Burns Federation.

The Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory offers few details. The 1893 issue only lists the then current office bearers. Later issues add only slightly to this. The group was of a relatively modest size, with 37 members on the roll in 1898, and 40 members in 1904, making it a rather stable club. In 1905, the club met at T. D. Wilson’s Rooms (this may have been a pub), located at 771 Springburn Road.

Date of Existence

1885?-? Federated 1886

Source of Information

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies for 1893’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. II (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., Glasgow and Edinburgh: J. Menzies & Co., January 1893), p. 191;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1898’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1898), p. 137;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 137;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), p. 148;

6. ‘The Burns Federation’,Grand Lodge of Scotland [accessed 23/09/15]

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number (See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

St. Andrew Society

Overview

In a scrapbook housed in the Mitchell Library, there can be found a type-written document about the St. Andrew Society. The (unknown) author records a brief history of the group, and gives its object (i.e. the purpose for meeting) as the promotion of scholarship in Scottish history and literature.

The document primarily contains information about the formation of the Scottish National Players Executive Committee. Outwith the St. Andrew Society’s involvement with the founding of what was to become the Scottish National Theatre Society, there are no further details as to the ordinary meetings and business of the group.

It is currently unclear if this society was connected with the older group of a very similar name, the Glasgow Saint Andrew’s (variously Saint Andrew) Society (1874?- present? See ‘Saint Andrew Society (glasgow) Charitable Trust‘ on the Total Giving website).

Date of Existence

1912-?

Source of Information

(Typescript document, unsigned, annotated:) ‘St. Andrew Society’ (brief history of the society, and history of Scottish National Theatre Society)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 28 (p. 16)

Additional Notes

–

St. Columba Literary Association (later became St. Columba Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association)

Overview

Members of this association were most likely part of the congregation of St. Columba’s Gaelic Chapel in Glasgow. The National Records of Scotland’s online catalogue offers a brief history of the church:

‘Admin history A separate place of worship for the many Gaelic speaking Highlanders who came to Glasgow in the 18th century was established in 1770. Known as the Gaelic Chapel, it was situated at the corner of Queen Street and Ingram Street. In 1839, the congregation moved to a new building at the bottom of Hope Street. This site was sold to the Caledonian Railway Company in 1900 and the present building in St Vincent Street was dedicated in 1904. The church was designed by William Tennant and Frederick V Burke in early French Gothic style.’

(‘Admin history’, Records of Church of Scotland synods, presbyteries and kirk sessions, Records of Glasgow, St Columba’s Gaelic Chapel, 1837-1989, Glasgow City Archives, CH2/1519)

The association was formed in July 1855 when a group of young men met to discuss forming a literary society whose object was the ‘mutual improvement of its Members’. At each meeting, an essay would be read and discussion would follow. The subject of the essays were were either selected or approved by the Directors of the church.

In its first year, it was a small group, with only 17 members on the roll. The syllabus for the first session (1855-1856) included essays on the following: ‘The Utility and Pleasures of Mental Science’; ‘The Mormons’; ‘The Feudal System’; and ‘The Gaelic Language’ to name a few.

The rules were amended slightly in 1862 as was the name of the society. The object of the society was changed to the ‘intellectual Improvement of its members’, and the name changed to the St. Columba Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association. Members met every Wednesday at 8pm. At the meetings, essays were read or a debate was held that would be followed by discussion.

Date of Existence

19 July 1855?-15 September 1869?

Source of Information

1. Glasgow, St Columba’s Gaelic Chapel: Literary Association minute book, 1855-62;

2. Glasgow, St Columba’s Gaelic Chapel: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association minute book, 1862-69 Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

CH2/1519/7/4;

CH2/1519/7/5

Additional Notes

See also Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association and St. Stephen’s Literary Association, with whom they had a joint debates.

St. John’s Parish Church Eclectic Literary Association (not the same as Eclectic Literary Society)

Overview

St. John’s Parish Church was built between 1817 and 1819, and was located at the corner of Macfarlane Street and the Gallowgate. The parish was one of the poorest and most deprived in the city. (For more information about this church, see ‘St. John’s Parish Church‘, and for information on Dr Thomas Chalmers, arguably one of the most influential figures in Glasgow’s — indeed, Scotland’s — history in the nineteenth century, see ‘Thomas Chalmers‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

There is little currently known about this association. The information we have comes from two articles in the Glasgow Herald. The 1861 article gives a brief report of the third annual soiree of the group which was held in the Merchant’s Hall in the city centre. The association’s short history is reported to already have been one ‘marked with uninterrupted success’. In that year, there were more than 50 members on the roll. Three years later, a short notice in theGlasgow Herald describes the sixth annual soiree, also held in the Merchant’s Hall. The annual report was read aloud, but there are no other details, and no mention was made of the number of members on the roll. After listing the eminent ministers in attendance, the readers are told instead that ‘[t]he meeting was enlivened throughout the evening with several songs, and with the services of an excellent choir, and the performances of an able pianist’ (‘St. John’s Eclectic Literary Association’, Glasgow Herald, 14 March 1864, p. 4).

Date of Existence

1858-?

Source of Information

1. St. John’s Parish Church Eclectic Association’, Glasgow Herald, 15 February 1861, p. 4;

2. ‘St. John’s Eclectic Literary Association’, Glasgow Herald, 14 March 1864, p. 4

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

The Glasgow Herald is available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland in both print and microfilm (check libraries for availability in both formats). Digitised issues are also available through theBritish Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ St. Rollox Burns Club

Overview

St. Rollox was located in the north of the city in the Springburn area. The area was home of the St Rollox Railway Works, and St Rollox Chemical Works, which was reportedly the largest in Europe. (For more information on these companies, see ‘Caledonian Railway No 21‘ and ‘Chemical Workers‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

According to various issues of the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this Burns club wished to keep its numbers small, with a maximum number of members set at 30. Between 1895 and 1904, it had variously between 24 and 30 members.

In 1895 (at least), the group met on the last Friday of the month between October and March, with the exception of January, when it met to celebrate Burns night. The schedule was changed in 1904 (at least), with meetings only being held between October and December. Presumably, the Burns night dinner was still held in January.

The club was meeting at the St. Rollox Tavern at 184 Castle Street in 1895. Nine years later, members were still meeting at the same address, but it was now called Rae’s Restaurant.

Date of Existence

1 November 1889-1909; 1914-? Federated 19 November 1891

Source of Information

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies, for 1892’, in BC, ed. by John Muir, No. I (Kilmarnock, D. Brown & Co., 25 January 1892), p. 131;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 195; 4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1895’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. IV (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., January 1895), p. 177;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 133;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 152;

7. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1899’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January, 1899), p. 156;

8. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1901’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. X (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1901), p. 139;

9. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1904’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1904), p. 139

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

St. Rollox Debating Society

Overview

The group met on Monday nights at 8pm in a school room conducted by one Mr Kemps. In 1800, a large chemical factory was built in St. Rollox by Charles Tennant and his partners. Between 1800 and 1827, there were at least a couple of schools running in the area (Hugh Aitken Dow,History of St. Rollox School, Glasgow, Together with Memorabilia of Same, and a Poetical Sketch of the old School and its Notabilities (Edinburgh: Murray and Gibb, 1876), p. 30). It was only in 1827 that Tennant built the St. Rollox School to provide education for his employee’s children (‘St Rollox School’, GCA, Department of Education,The Glasgow Story ). It is possible that the society was composed of employees and/or their children.

In the society’s minute book, there are 11 members listed. Interestingly, ‘C J Tennant’, or Charles James Tennant, one of Tennant’s nine children, was included as a member of this society in 1822, but his name at some point was scored out.

The entry free was 1s 6d, which was cheaper than the average (2s 6d), and the money was used ‘to defray the expense of heating and lighting the room’.

Date of Existence

(prior to) 1822-1823?

Source of Information

St Rollox Debating Society, Minute book, 27 September 1822-2 December 1823

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number

GB243 TD1943

Additional Notes

–

St. Rollox Jolly Beggars

Overview

There is little currently known about this Burns club. Outside a mention of the group in the Memorial Catalogue of the Burns Exhibition (1898), there is only the club’s listings in the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory. Unfortunately, there are few details given: the names and addresses of the President and Secretary are included in the 1896 directory, and the following year’s directory merely adds the year of the club’s institution (1893).

Date of Existence

1893-1909; 1914-? Federated 1894

Source of Information

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 136;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federations, January 1897), p. 155

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Where there are breaks in the dates of a club’s existence, it was the case that the directories listed them as ‘dormant’ during the intervening years.

St. Stephen’s Literary Association

Overview

Members of this association were most likely part of the congregation of St. Stephen’s Church. At the time that this group was running, they would have been based at the church built in 1850 for the congregation on New City Road, perhaps meeting in halls that were subsequently built in 1872. (For more information on this church, see ‘Glasgow — St. Stephen’s‘ on the Ecclegen website.)

On February 16th, 1893, the group hosted a joint debate at the church with the St. Columba Literary Association and the Wellington Church Literary Association in attendance (Minute entry, 16 February 1893, Wellington United Presbyterian Church, Literary Association [Fifth] Minute Book, 1892-1896, pp. 58-9 (GCA, CH3/1238/1-2)).

The group produced its own magazine in manuscript that contained original contributions written by and for its members (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). Unfortunately, there are no further details or information about the society in this magazine.

Date of Existence 1892?-?

Source of Information

1. Souvenir: St. Stephen’s, 1892 (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 285.241443 STS 211754);

2. (Mentioned in Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association, Minute Book, 1892-96, ‘Syllabus 1892-93’, p. 26 (GCA, CH3/1238/2));

3. St. Stephen’s Kirk Session, The Lads’ Own Magazine, 1895 (GCA, CH2/1373/12)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives (GCA)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association and St. Columba Literary Association, with whom they had at least one joint debate.

See also entry for The Lads’ Own Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Strathbungo Parish Literary Association (aka Strathbungo Parish Church Literary Society)

Overview

Strathbungo is an area in the south side of Glasgow. Members of this association were most likely part of the congregation of the Strathbungo Parish Church, located at 605 Pollokshaws Road. The earlier church was replaced by a new building that was completed in 1888. (For more information on this area, see theStrathbungo ‘ & Crossmyloof. Origins & History‘ and ‘Queen’s Park Churches. Illustrated Guide‘ on the ScotCities website).

This literary association of young men met on Monday evenings at 7.45pm (later changed to 8pm) from October until March in the church Session House, and later in the Church Hall. The object of the group was the ‘Moral & Intellectual improvement of its Members’. The annual subscription fee was 1s, which was very low compared to the average for other literary societies at this time (2s 6d). At the meetings, essays were read which were followed up by group discussion. During the sessions, there were also social meetings or a musical evenings.

This was only ever a small group that had about 30 members over the years, with about a dozen to two dozen present at any of the meetings. In general, it does not appear to have been well-supported as in 1886, the society was ‘considered defunct’. A new society formed in 1887, but may have wrapped up in the following year. In 1910, it seems the group was revived when six young men met to discuss a new society. Like its predecessors, this new group was also short-lived, and does not appear to have survived beyond 1912.

At a meeting held in March 1885, a proposal was made to start a society manuscript magazine. It is unknown if the magazine was ever produced.

Date of Existence

1884?-1888?

Source of Information

1. Literary society minutes (1884-88), Records of Church of Scotland synods, presbyteries and kirk sessions; Records of Glasgow, Strathbungo Kirk Session (GCA, CH2/1053/8);

2. Literary society minutes (1910-12), Records of Church of Scotland synods, presbyteries and kirk sessions; Records of Glasgow, Strathbungo Kirk Session (GCA, CH2/1053/35)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives (GCA) Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

–

Tam O’ Shanter Club (aka the Tam O’ Shanter Burns Club)

Overview

According to the 1882 Glasgow Post Office directory, the object (i.e. purpose for meeting) of this Burns club was ‘the annual celebration of the birth-day of Robert Burns; occasional reunions for the cultivation of social and intellectual intercourse amongst the members; and the encouragement of Scottish literature and music’ (‘Tam O’ Shanter Club’, ‘Miscellaneous’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1882-1883… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1882), p. 124).

The club had a good-sized membership in the early twentieth-century (these being the years for which we have evidence). In 1909, there were 72 members, and the group grew to 123 (22 life members and 101 ordinary members) in 1914. Members met on the last Friday (later changed to the last Tuesday) of the month at 8pm between November and May, including, of course, a celebration in January for Burns night. The months in which the members met would change over the years.

Similarly, the venue where the group met would also change. In 1882, members met in the Bridge Street Station Hotel (located just to the south of the River Clyde), in 1894 at Ancell’s (87 Glassford Street; according to the Post Office directory for that year, James Ancell was a ‘restaurateur, pastry cook, confectioner, and soiree purveyor’), in 1896 at the Trades’ House Restaurant (Glassford Street), in 1907 at White & Smith’s Restaurant (Glassford Street), and back to the Trades’ House Restaurant again in 1910. Date of Existence

1880-1914? Federated 1885

Source of Information

1. ‘Tam O’ Shanter Club’, ‘Miscellaneous’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1882-1883… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1882), p. 124;

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies, for 1892’, in BC, ed. by John Muir, No. I (Kilmarnock, D. Brown & Co., January 1892, 25 January 1892), p. 131;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 192;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1896’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. V (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1896), p. 128;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1905’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1905), pp. 145-6;

6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1907), p. 154;

7. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), pp. 171-2;

8. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIV (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1915), pp. 161-2;

9. (Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Citizen. 25 Nov. 1914.’ (on the opening meeting for the club’s session 1914, also with a musical programme) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 38, p. 55)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Glasgow Post Office directory, and all other Sources of Information) National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

The British Empire Shakespeare Society Overview

This society was the Glasgow branch of the larger British Empire Shakespeare Society that was founded by Greta Morritt (actress) in 1901. According toThe Oxford Companion to Shakespeare, she founded the society ‘to promote Shakespeare’s works throughout the Empire by co-ordinating reading circles, dramatic readings, and costume recitals. It published an official gazette 1915–39’ (Susan Brock, ‘British Empire Shakespeare Society’, The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare, 2nd edn (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015)).

The 1911-1912 Glasgow Post Office directory gives the objects of and subscription fees for the Glasgow society:

‘ (1) To promote greater familiarity with Shakespeare’s works among all classes throughout the British Empire by organizing Dramatic Readings and acting scenes from Shakespeare’s Plays, and by lectures on his life and work. (2) To help the rising generation not only to study Shakespeare’s plays but to love them. Life Membership, £5. Yearly Subscription, 5s.’

(‘The British Empire Shakespeare Society’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1911-1912… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1911), p. 1821)

The society’s listing in the Post Office directory for 1914-1915 shows that the annual subscription had gone up to 6s. The rather high annual subscription (as compared to 2s 6d, the average for other literary societies during this period) would suggest that this society was most likely composed of mostly middle-class members.

Date of Existence

1906?-1933?

Source of Information

1. ‘Programme of the British Empire Shakespeare Society, Glasgow Branch, featuring [John/Joseph] MacDonagh as Publius and Trebonius in the ‘Julius Caesar’ recital of scenes, 1906 Oct. 19.’ (NLI, Thomas MacDonagh Family Papers, 1848-1966, MS 44, 343/1/2);

2. ‘The British Empire Shakespeare Society’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1911-1912… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1911), p. 1821;

3. ‘The British Empire Shakespeare Society. Glasgow Branch’, ‘Artistic, Literary, and Scientific Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1914-1915… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1914), p. 1837;

4. British Empire Shakespeare Society. Glasgow Branch (Dramatic Circle) 1929-1933. Minute Book (UGSC, Ref. code: GB 247 STA Mn 91; Call no: STA Mn 91)

Repository

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

National Library of Ireland (NLI)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Glasgow Post Office directories)

Additional Notes

The Church of Scotland Students’ Literary Association

Overview

This association initially met on Saturday mornings from 9.30-10.30 (later changed to 12.30-1.30pm, and then to 10-11am) in the Hall of Blythswood Church, located at 258 Bath Street (near Charing Cross). The yearly session ran from November or December until April. Membership was open to students who belonged to the Church of Scotland, some of whom were studying at the University of Glasgow for the ministry of the Church of Scotland. The group’s objects were to encourage conviviality and literary culture. As was the norm for many of these societies, meetings were opened and closed with prayer.

There are no (extant?) roll books for this association, but the number of members who attended each meeting was recorded in the minutes. From these, in the 1877-1878 session, it appears that there were at least 50 members of this group (the number of attendees at the opening meeting), but normally only between 10 and 20 people attended. In the following year, there seems to have been a drop in numbers, with only 15 members attending the opening meeting, and between 7 and 10 members at the meetings thereafter. The minutes end part-way through the session, on 8 February 1879.

The minute book is then taken over by the Glasgow University Theological Society in 1881. There was some continuity between the two societies in that there were several office bearers and committee members of The Church of Scotland Students’ Literary Association who later served the same or similar roles in the Theological Society. The new society was more focused on religious issues and doctrine than the previous group, which regularly included essays on authors (e.g. Tennyson, Byron, Milton, Wordsworth, Scott, and Schiller in the 1877-1878 session alone), and on literature and language more generally.

Date of Existence

1877?-1883?

Source of Information

1. Minute Book, Church of Scotland Students’ Literary Association, 1877-83;

2. Minutes of Church of Scotland Students’ Literary Association, 10th November 1877 to 8th February 1879;

3. Printed constitution of Literary Association, list of officers and syllabus, 1877-78

Repository

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Reference Number MS Gen 945

Additional Notes

–

The Debating and Literary Society, St. Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Glasgow

Overview

Members of this society were most likely members of the congregation of St. Ninian’s Episcopal Church, which is located in Pollokshields, an area in the south side of Glasgow. (For more information about the area, see ‘Pollokshields, Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website, and for a brief history of the church, seeSt ‘ Ninian’s Church‘ on The Glasgow Story website. The church also has its own website with details on its twenty-first-century congregation and is available here.)

The People of St. Ninian’s 1872-1972 (1972) offers a good overview of the church’s historic literary society from its formation in 1899 until 1934. Among the group’s activities were debates, socials, dances, drama performances and concerts. In addition, the society had its own library, and games were on offer.

Date of Existence

1899-1934?

Source of Information 1. (Mentioned in: Dell, Richard F., The People of St. Ninian’s 1872-1972: A Centenary Essay on a Congregation of the Episcopal Church, Glasgow ([Glasgow]: [The Church], 1972, pp. 8-10) (ML, Mitchell (GC) 283.41443 STN);

2. St. Ninian’s Episcopal Church, ‘Debating and Literary Society’, Monthly Magazine, Vol. XI, No. 2, February 1921 (Note: this magazine is found inside back cover of following material at Heritage Hub, Hawick: Melrose Literary Society,Melrose Literary and Debating Society Manuscript Magazine, Vol. 12, 1917-20 (HH, D/54/8/3))

Repository

Mitchell Library (ML)

Heritage Hub, Hawick (HH)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

This society should not be confused with the Literary Society of St. Ninian’s Parish Church (1890?-?).

The Literary and Artistic Society (aka Literary and Artistic Association) (possibly same society as The Literary and Artistic Club)

Overview

The information that we have on this group comes mostly from an article written (anonymously) by Thomas Gildard that was published in May 1892 inThe Bailie, a Glasgow weekly magazine. The article itself was transcribed by William Young (Glasgow artist, 1845-1916), who attributed it to Gildard. The transcription was then placed in one of Young’s many volumes of scrapbooks (see Young’s Scrapbooks, Mitchell Library Special Collections).

Gildard was apparently a member of the group, and in the article, he gives a colourful description of its history. The group was made up of about 40 to 50 members who met at ‘Messrs Smith’s, presumably a pub, located at the corner of Gordon Street and Union Street. This was where an eclectic mix of artists, journalists, architects, artisans and a couple ‘men of science’ met every day except on Sundays. It seems to have been an informal, social group with no rigid membership rules nor strict order of business in running its meetings. The purpose was primarily for socialising and conviviality, the topics of discussion being varied but excluded religion and politics. Occasionally, on Saturday evenings, papers would be read. The group lasted for about 15 years.

Date of Existence

1859?-1874?

Source of Information

1. (For The Literary and Artistic Club see: Ballantine, James,Chronicle of the Hundredth Birthday of Robert Burns (Edinburgh and London: A. Fullarton & Co., 1859), pp. 81-88) (MLSC, Edwin Morgan Library, Robert Burns Collection, Mitchell (AL) 14B BAL 907845);

2. ‘Literary and Artistic Society of Glasgow’, Evening Citizen, 8 August 1864, p. 3;

3. (Transcription of newspaper article:) ”The Bailie’, Wednesday, May 18th. 1892′ (‘Monday Gossip’, The Bailie, 18 May 1892, p. 12) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 10, p. 50);

4. Gildard, Thomas, ‘Miscellanea’ (MLSC, Mitchell (GC), 828 214964, pp. 34-45);

5. (Annotated newspaper clipping:) [Evening] ‘News. 4 Sep. 1909’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 25, p. 61)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number (See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Thomas Gildard was also President of the “Ours” Club from 1882-1893. See Glasgow Philological and Literary Club (aka This Club of Ours, or ‘Ours’ Club), and see also A Book of “Ours” (“Ours” Literary and Social Club. A book of “Ours.”), details of which are available on our sister website, Literary Bonds, which has a photograph of Gildard.

Copies of the Evening Citizen are available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland. For digitised copies, see theBritish Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

The Park Literary Institution (currently unknown if this is same as East Park Literary Society)

Overview

There is little currently known about this society. The only information we have to date comes from a mention of the group in an annual report of the Sandyford Church Literary Association written in 1884, which states that of the five debates held, two of them were joint debates with the Park Literary Institute and Free St. George’s Literary Association.

It is very likely that the name of this society belies its more modest existence: it was not uncommon for relatively small literary societies to give their groups a more prestigious sounding name.

Date of Existence

1883?-?

Source of Information (Mentioned in ‘Extract from Report submitted to the Fifth Annual meeting of Sandyford Church Literary Association, 7th April 1884’, last submission in Sandyford Church Literary Association MS Magazine)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

642424

Additional Notes

See also Sandyford Church Literary Association, and Free St. George’s Literary Association, with whom this society had joint debates.

The Poetry Society (aka Poetry Recital Society)

Overview

There is very little currently known about this society. The only information we have to date comes from the Glasgow Post Office directory. From this, we know that it was the Glasgow branch of The Poetry Society that was based in central London (this might possibly be the organisation of the same name that was founded in 1909 and is still running today; see The Poetry Society):

‘The Poetry Society. Glasgow Centre. Central Office, Clun House, Surrey Street, Strand, W.C. Local Headquarters, 15 Blythswood Drive, W. […] Founded, as the Poetry Recital Society, to promote a more general recognition and appreciation of Poetry by encouraging the public and private reading of it, and developing the “art of speaking verse.”‘

(‘The Poetry Society’, ‘Educational Institutions’, Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1912-1913… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1912), p. 1818)

Date of Existence

1912?-?

Source of Information

‘The Poetry Society’, ‘Educational Institutions’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1912-1913… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1912), p. 1818

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow (not the same as Philosophical Society, 1795-1796?) Overview

This group began as the Glasgow Philosophical Society and later became the Philosophical Society of Glasgow. A Royal Charter was granted in 1901. The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow’s website offers an excellent summary of the long history of this group:

‘A short history of the Society On 9th Nov. 1802, in response to an invitation, twenty-two citizens met in the Prince of Wales Tavern, Glasgow where they set up a committee to outline the principles for a Society ‘for the improvement of the Arts and Sciences’ in Glasgow. An important consideration was the establishment of a select library of scientific books. A week later a meeting was held in the Assembly Rooms at which sixty persons subscribed to the setting up of the Glasgow Philosophical Society. On 8th Dec the Regulations were approved and a Council was elected. The first President was a Professor of Astronomy and the Vice-President was an ironfounder, thus representing the joint interests of science and industry. From the beginning it was intended that meetings would be held weekly in the winter and fortnightly in the summer and that the members would present papers on experiments and exhibit models or artefacts.

[…] The Society has had many eminent members and became a Royal Society in 1901 when Lord Blythswood was President.’

(‘History’, ‘A Short History of the Society’, The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow [accessed 31 March 2018])

For a more complete history, see No Mean Society, 1802-2002: 200 years of the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow (2003).

Date of Existence

29 November 1802-present

Source of Information

1. Papers of the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow, 1802-2000 (UGSC, MS Gen 1756) (From the University of Glasgow Special Collections online catalogue: ‘Content: Records created by the Society, including Minutes, publications and photographs, illustrating the Society’s founding, growth and activities.’)

2. ‘Glasgow Literary & Scientific Institutions’,The Western Luminary, or Glasgow Literary & Scientific Gazette, Vol. I, No. 3, 17 January 1824, p. 19 (UGSC, Sp Coll Mu60-f.31, Sp Coll Bh12-e.12);

3. ‘Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow’, ‘Educational and Scientific Institutions’, Glasgow Post-Office Annual Directory for 1854-1855… (Glasgow: William Mackenzie, 1854), p. 132;

4. (See also various Glasgow Post Office directories from 1855 onwards);

5. Terry, Charles Sanford, A Catalogue of the Publications of Scottish Historical and Kindred Clubs and Societies…1780-1908 (Glasgow: James MacLehose and Sons, 1909) (UGSC, History Bibliog DV300 1909-T 1780-1908);

6. No Mean Society, 1802-2002: 200 years of the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow (Glasgow: Royal Philosopical Society of Glasgow, 2003) (available as a downloadable PDF on The Royal Philosophical Society website on its ‘History’ page: http://royalphil.org/history/)

7. The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow Homepage: http://royalphil.org/

Repository

Mitchell Library (Glasgow Post Office directories)

National Library of Scotland (Glasgow Post Office directories)

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

The full title for The Western Luminary is as follows: The western luminary, or, Glasgow literary and scientific gazette, embracing, Reviews of all new and interesting publications — Discussions of all important matters connected with the West of Scotland — Biographical memoirs of such living and dead individuals as possess peculiar claims on our sympathy or regard — Original essays upon men and manners, institutions and priciples — Poetry, written and selected for the work — Anecdotes and extracts — Arts and science — Truth and fiction, conducted by the Writers of the Free Press, and other literary gentlemen of Glasgow and the West of Scotland. From the Mitchell Library online catalogue on this magazine:

The Scottish Poets’ Club

Overview

There is very little currently known about this club. The only information we have to date comes from the Glasgow Post Office directory, which briefly states the group’s object and lists the then current office bearers:

‘THE SCOTTISH POETS’ CLUB. (To Perpetuate the Memory of the Scottish Poets.) Office-Bearers, 1905: —Hon. president, Rev. David Macrae ; president, Joseph Wright ; vice-presidents, Ex-Bailie Malcolm Campbell, J. H. Thomson, T. J. Melvin, Councillor Archd. Campbell, Rev. Robert Campbell, and Ex- Bailie William Martin, J.P. ; directors Robert Baird. J.P., William Gibb, Major R. S. Milne, V.D., William Anderson, A. G. Weir, Alex. Macdonald, Daniel M’Nicol, James Clunies, and Walter Freer ; hon. treasurer, James Gardiner. J. P., 106 Candieriggs ; hon. secretary, Robert Wylie, 65 Oswald Street, City, from whom all information may be obtained.’

(‘The Scottish Poets’ Club’, ‘Miscellaneous’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1905-1906… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1905), p. 186)

Date of Existence

1905?-? Source of Information

‘The Scottish Poets’ Club’, ‘Miscellaneous’,Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1905-1906… (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1905), p. 186

Repository

Mitchell Library

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

The Thirteen Club (aka The Glasgow Thirteen)

Overview

From the start, this club was intended to have a small, exclusive membership limited to 13 members. Discussions were to be on literature and art. The first meeting was held on Friday, 15 January 1891 at Moir’s Restaurant on West Nile Street. Attendees at the meeting included A. Mudie, G. Deans, Lou McEwan, David Fulton, George Forbes Dawson, and William Young.

The group appears to have been an informal social club, and there is no evidence for minutes being kept at the meetings, which were held in different restaurants in the city centre where the members met for dinner. Details of the meetings can only be gleaned from the ephemera and newspaper clippings in Young’s Scrapbooks (see below). In addition to the dinners, the club had an outing every year to various sites in the region.

A newspaper clipping from the ‘News’ (presumably the Glasgow Evening News) from 16 January 1904 lists the following members: ‘Bailie [Robert] Sorley; F. T. Barrett, the City librarian; Mr John W. Fraser, formerly of the Baird Trust; the Rev. Alexander Macarthur, of Strone; Mr Neil Munro, the novelist; Mr William Young and Mr David Fulton, artists; three well-known local journalists — Mr Thomas Reid, chief reporter of the “Herald,” Mr Andrew Moodie, and Mr George Deans; Mr D. Thomson, architect; Mr Andrew Wells, art designer; and Dr George Neilson [lawyer and historian].’

(Newspaper clipping, annotated:) (The Thirteen Club) ‘News. 16 Jany. 1904’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 8, p. 34))

William Young (1845-1916), a Glasgow artist, was one of the original members. The numerous scrapbooks in which he collected an eclectic range of materials, particularly on the cultural and social life of Glasgow during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, includes many mementos, ephemera and newspaper clippings on this club.

Date of Existence

20 December 1890-?

Source of Information

1. Dawson, George Forbes Dawson, letter to William Young, 29 December 1890, MS (letter on ‘start of “The Thirteen”‘) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 1, [p. 21 ], 8a);

2. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘The Glasgow Thirteen Club’, (annotated:) ‘Citizen, 14 May 1892.’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 1 (unpaginated, p. 35));

3. (Newspaper clipping:) ‘The Looker-On’, (annotated:) ‘Evening News. 1 May 1899.’ (‘The Looker-on’, Glasgow Evening News, 1 May 1899, p. 2) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks Vol. 2, p. 90; Glasgow Scrapbooks, Vol. 2, pp. 38-39);

4. Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century (Glasgow: The Photo- Biographical Publishing Co., [1901]), p. 78 (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 920.04 GLA 499009);

5. (Two newspaper clippings, annotated:) a. (The Thirteen Club) ‘News. 16 Jany. 1904’, and b.(Glasgow 13) ‘Citizen. 16 Jany. 1904’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 8, p. 34);

6. (Newspaper clipping, annotated:) (Thirteen Club) ‘News. 24 Mch. 1904’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 8, p. 65);

7. (Newspaper clipping, annotated:) (Glasgow Thirteen Club) ‘Citizen. 14 Jany. 1905’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 9, p. 75);

8. (Photograph of “The Thirteen”, by William Young, members identified) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 11, p. 7);

9. (Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘The “Thirteen” Annual Dinner. […] Citizen. 20 Jany. 1906’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 12, p. 82);

10. (Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘”The Thirteen” Annual Excursion, 30 May 1908. […] See p. 60. Citizen. 1 June 1908’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 19, p. 9);

11. (Photograph, annotated:) ‘The Glasgow Thirteen Club at Catrine, 30th May 1908’ (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 19, p. 60);

12. (Note: this is not a complete list: numerous additional newspaper clippings in: MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks (various volumes))

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Willliam Young (whose Scrapbooks the Mitchell Library Special Collections holds) was a member of the Thirteen Club and the Glasgow Ballad Club, along with several other societies not considered in this project. The Thom Society

Overview

The evidence for this society comes George Hull’s The Poets and Poetry of Blackburn (1793-1902) (1902).

This Glaswegian literary group was devoted to the study of the poetry and songs of Robert W. Thom (30 December 1816-?). Thom was author ofThe Courtship and Wedding o’ Jock o’ the Knowe and Other poems (1878), The Epochs: A Poem (1884), and Poems and Ballads: (Scotch and English) (1886).

The society was running during Thom’s lifetime, but further details are currently unknown.

Date of Existence

(1850s?)

Source of Information

George Hull, The Poets and Poetry of Blackburn (1793-1902) (Blackburn, [The Author], 1902).

Repository

(The Poets and Poetry of Blackburn: National Library of Scotland)

Reference Number

(S.149.e.15)

Additional Notes

Thistle Burns Club

Overview

This is little currently known about this Burns club. What we do know is that it was a relatively small group by design: according to the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, in 1894, the club had 30 members, and in 1897, there was no number given, but it was reported that membership was limited to 40.

The club met at 24 Thistle Street, South Side (just south of the River Clyde), in 1907. According to the Glasgow Post Office directory for this year, the address was the business premises of one A. Kerr, spirit merchant. In 1914, the group met at 9 Miller Street (in Merchant City, in the city centre), the address given for R. W. Cairns, wine merchant, in the Glasgow Post Office directory for the same year.

Date of Existence

10 March 1882-? Federated 1885

Source of Information

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies, for 1892’, in BC, ed. by John Muir, No. I (Kilmarnock, D. Brown & Co., 25 January 1892), p. 131;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1894’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. III (Kilmarnock: D. Brown & Co., February 1894), p. 192;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1897’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. VI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1897), p. 149;

5. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1907’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XVI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1907), p. 155; 6. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January, 1914), p. 200

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Memorial Catalogue, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Catalogue)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

Tollcross Burns Club Overview

Tollcross is an area in Glasgow’s east end, approximately three miles from the city centre. (For more information about this area, see Gordon Adams’sA History of Tollcross & Dalbeth, a digitised copy of which is available on the East Glasgow History website.)

In 1910, this club’s object (i.e. the purpose for meeting) was for ‘Monthly meetings; tattie and herrin’, Burns anniversary, and beef and greens dinners; also schools competition’ (‘Club Notes’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 191). In the following year’s directory, the object was simply listed as being to ‘Promote the study of Burns’s works’.

As the 1910 directory rightly states, over the years this club’s ‘Place and time of meeting, varied [sic]’. In 1911, it met on the second Thursday of the month at 8pm at Hilliar’s Rooms on Main Street, Tollcross. By 1914 (at least), the club was meeting on the first Tuesday of the month at 8pm at the Tollcross Bowlhouse.

Date of Existence

1908-? Federated 13th February 1909 (Note: the 1912 Annual Burns Chronicle gives 5 November 1908 as date of federation)

Source of Information

1. (Newspaper clipping, unattributed, annotated:) ’31/01/11′, in Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 8 November 1907 – 5 September 1912, p. 192 (MLSC, 891709));

2. ‘Club Notes’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XIX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1910), p. 191;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1911’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XX (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1911), p. 178

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Toynbee House Literary Society (University Settlement Association)

Overview

This society was one of several classes, clubs and societies formed by the University Settlement Association, Toynbee House, which was located at 130 Parson Street, Townhead, Glasgow. (For more information on this area, see the entry for ‘Townhead Glasgow. Cathedral Precinct‘ on the ScotCities website). The University Settlement Association was the University of Glasgow branch of Toynbee Hall in London, which was founded in 1884. (For a history of and details of the current work of Toynbee Hall, see their website (‘Our ToynbeeHistory’, Hall . For a more detailed discussion of settlement houses during this period, see Lucinda Matthews-Jones, ‘Centres of Brightness: The Spiritual Imagination of Toynbee Hall and Oxford House, 1880-1914’ (unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Manchester, 2009).

A ‘Memorandum’ written in 1889 by the Honorary Secretary provides a good summary of the association, and provides further details on the work. Modeled on the work of social work being conducted by Toynbee Hall in London, in 1886, the Glasgow University Settlement Association hired two rooms at 130 Parson Street (located in the Townhead area, in the north of the city) in which to hold discussions and serve tea. Working-class people from the area were invited every fortnight for social evenings.

The same 1888-1889 report gives an account of the first session of the Literary Society. The group was made up of approximately 50 to 60 members. At the meetings, essays were read and debates were held which were followed by discussions. In addition, members practiced extempore speaking. At the end of the session, there was a large social meeting at which there was music and readings.

Date of Existence

1888-?

Source of Information

1. Toynbee House (Glasgow), Report of the University Settlement Association, Toynbee House, 130 Parson Street, Glasgow, 1888-90 (Glasgow: James Maclehose & Sons, [1888?] (UGL, Research Annexe, Store MacLehose 762);

2. Toynbee House (Glasgow), Report for 1901-1902 of Toynbee House, Cathedral Court, Rottenrow, Glasgow ([MacLehose], [1902]) (UGL,Research Annexe, Store MacLehose 784);

3. Toynbee House (Glasgow), Report for 1903-1904 of Toynbee House, Cathedral Court, Rottenrow, Glasgow ([Glasgow: MacLehose], [1903]) (UGL, Research Annexe, Store MacLehose 791);

4. (Newspaper clipping:) Glasgow Herald (24 March 1908) (this article is on the Old Glasgow Club, but mentions this society) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 18, p. 70)

Repository Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

University of Glasgow Library (UGL)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also Shakespeare Reading Class (Toynbee House, University Settlement Association).

University Printing Office Literary & Scientific Institution

Overview

The staff at the University Printing Office of the University of Glasgow followed the model set by the Gas Workmen’s Institution (1825-?) in setting up their own institution (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). A library was formed first and began with a donation of books by John M. Duncan, a co-partner in the printing office, in 1822. In 1825, it had 210 volumes ‘consisting principally of historical works, travels, romances, and poems’. Between 90 and 95 men and boys were employed at the printing office in that year. Figures for the year before state that 54 workers subscribed to the library, and entry money was based on income.

The majority of those who subscribed were apprentices aged between 14 and 21, with only 17 of the more senior journeymen making up the rest, as it was reported that these men chose to get their books from the larger collections available at the Mechanics’ Library, Anderson’s Institution Library, and the North Quarter Library. Duncan suggested that a literary and scientific institution be formed based on the same principles as the Gas Works, and the library and institution were joined shortly after the institution’s founding. The committee, made up of some of the more senior staff, were requested to provide the lectures, the subjects being on scientific, mechanical, and chemical principles. The speaker who provided the introductory address, the surgeon, James M’Conechy—described by The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine as a person ‘(who appears to have interested himself considerably in the originating of this Institution,)’ —concludes his speech with what amounted to a manifesto in support of ‘Popular Education’.

Date of Existence

19 March 1825-?

Source of Information

1. McConechy, James, ‘An introductory address … on the formation of a literary and scientific institution among the workmen of the university printing office’ (Glasgow, 1825) (ML, Mitchell (GC) 374 53662–Copies are also available at NLS (Special Collections Reading Room, 1938.27(12)) and UGL (Library Research Annexe, Bf76- k.11);

2. ‘Literary and Scientific Institution at the University Printing Office, Glasgow’,The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine; and Annals of Philosophy, 3, 1825, pp. 341-4 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 19 GLA 52873– for full holdings apply to staff);

3. ‘University Printing Office’, The Glasgow Mechanics’ Magazine, 3, 1825, p. 217 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 19 GLA 52873– for full holdings apply to staff)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (‘An introductory address’)

University of Glasgow Library (UGL) (‘An introductory address’)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also Gas Workmen’s Institution. Victoria Free Church Literary Institute

Overview

This church was located on the corner of Victoria Road and Pollokshaws Road in the south side of Glasgow in the Gorbals area. (For more information about this area, see ‘Gorbals, Glasgow. Origins & History‘ on the ScotCities website). Members of this society were most likely part of the congregation of the Victoria Free Church. (For more information about this church, see ‘Glasgow — Victoria‘ on the Eccelen website, and see ‘Tram procession 1905‘ on The Glasgow Story website).

There is little currently known about this society. The only evidence we have comes from the syllabus of another literary group, the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, which lists the date on which the Victoria Free Church society was scheduled to participate in a joint debate with them along with Pollokshields Free Church Literary Institute (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1875-?

Source of Information

(Listed as having a joint debate with the Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Institute, and Pollokshields Free Church Literary Institute on 3 December 1888: ‘Syllabus’, 1888-1889, Queen’s Park U. P. Church Young Men’s Literary Institute, Session 1888-1889 (Glasgow City Archives, Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UF Church, Literary Institute syllabus, 1875-1912)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives

Reference Number CH3/1471/45

Additional Notes

See also Queen’s Park, St. George’s UP, UK Church Literary Institute and Pollokshields Free Church Literary Institute with whom they held at least one joint debate.

Waverley Burns Club (later became Western Burns Club)

Overview

Prior to its official formation, the members of this Burns club met for an annual dinner in 1859 to celebrate the 100th birthday of Burns. In the following year, the Waverley Burns Club was founded at a meeting held at the Waverley Hotel, located at 18 George Square in the city centre.

The club gathered monthly at the Waverley Hotel for dinner, with the meeting following thereafter. At the meetings, various items were read, including original poetry, and songs were sung. The original poetry and songs are occasionally included in the records following the minutes. Following the dinners, there was customarily ‘Harmony, Joke[s] and Eloquence’. In 1863, the club voted to celebrate Shakespeare’s tri-century birthday with a club dinner. On 23 April 1864, the Waverley Burns Club, along with some of the members of the Pen & Pencil Club, celebrated with a dinner at the Bedford Hotel. Between 1862 and 1865, there were 44 members on the roll. In the minute entry of 24 February 1863, there is a mention of a club library that was beginning to be formed.

In March 1872, the group changed its name to the Western Burns Club. There were approximately 70 members. It appears that over the years, the minute books become increasingly focused on the social events and outings, and include less on the readings that were done at the meetings. The last entry in Minute Book 4 is dated 21 October 1882. Minute Books 1 and 2 are from the Waverley Burns Club, and most of Minute Book 3 and all of Minute Book 4 are from the Western Burns Club.

Date of Existence

25 January 1860-26 March 1872; (Western Burns Club) March 1872-1882?

Source of Information

1. Sederunt book, Waverly Burns Club (3 notebooks), 1860-72 (MLSC, Robert Burns Collection, Mitchell (AL) 391557-59);

2. [Printed papers] Waverley/Western Burns Club, 1867 (Pamphlets and papers bound together) (MLSC, Robert Burns Collection, Mitchell (AL) 13 WES 644307);

3. [Minute book] Waverly/Western Burns Club, 1872-1882 (fromMitchell online catalogue: ‘Handwritten records of meetings, with printed cuttings, menu cards, correspondence, obituary notices, etc., inserted Minute books nos. 3 and 4, the first two being minutes of the Waverley Burns Club. Book 3 records the change of name to the Western Burns Club in March 1872’) (MLSC, Robert Burns Collection, Mitchell (AL)391559-60);

4. ‘A natal lay: written for the anniversary of Burns birth-day, 25th January, 1875’ (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 12A WIN52901);

5. Robert Burns, [The Western Burns Club] (reports of Burns suppers, and excursions) (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 13 WES 907654);

6. (Mentioned in minutes of Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 30 March 1908, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 8 November 1907-5 September 1912, p. 18 (MLSC, 891709)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club. Waverley Literary & Drama Association

Overview

This is little currently known about this society. The evidence that we have comes from a programme for the group’s ‘Thirty-first Dramatic Entertainment’, which was scheduled to be held on 30 April 1880. The front cover states that the association was formed in 1872, and a list of its office bearers is given.

The programme consists of a comic drama, ‘Good for Nothing’, a ‘domestic drama’ called ‘Harvest Storm’, and a ‘Screaming Farce’ named ‘To Paris and Back for £5’. There is no further information provided about the association itself.

Date of Existence

1872-?

Source of Information

[Programme for ‘Thirty-first Dramatic Entertainment’], 30 April 1880

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 29 (p. 82)

Additional Notes

– Wellington United Presbyterian Church Literary Association

Overview

A good summary of the history of the Wellington Church can be found on the Discover Glasgow website:

‘The Wellington United Presbyterian Church congregation gained its name from their original church that was located on Wellington Street in the city centre. That church, completed in 1827 and designed by John Baird, served the congregation for fifty years.

By this time their membership numbers had expanded beyond the church’s capacity, and so a competition was held for the design of a new one, with Thomas Lennox Watson beating out John Burnet. A suitable site was found on University Place, opposite the University of Glasgow’s main building which had moved west the decade before […]

While Baird’s original church was demolished in 1909, the current Wellington Church is still very active […].’

(‘Wellington Church’,Discover Glasgow [accessed 01/04/18]).

A brief history of the church’s Literary Association comes from Alexander Fleming’s, Historical Sketch of Wellington United Presbyterian Congregation, Glasgow (1792-1892) (1893). According to this account, in 1839, a group of young men from the congregation formed The Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association, which was to be short-lived. The group was revived in 1851, and, at the time of publication, was still running as the Literary Association.

The 1892 Constitution for this society sets out the group’s object as its members’ moral and intellectual improvement. While the earlier group was exclusively for young men, in the late nineteenth century, the association accepted both young men and women as members. The annual subscription charge was quite low, being only 1s, as compared to the average for other literary societies during this period (2s 6d). The meetings were held at 8pm in the Library Room of Wellington Church, which was just around the corner on Ann Street (now known as Southpark Avenue), Hillhead. In March 1892, there was a total of 58 members, which grew to 132 in 1896.

This association was very active in its participation with the literary culture of the period by hosting joint meetings and itself taking part in other literary societies’ meetings across the city (see ‘Additional Notes’ below). In 1900, the group became the Wellington United Free Church Literary Association.

Date of Existence

1851-?

Source of Information

1. Mitchell, James, Lecture on the principles of the Secession Church: delivered to the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association, in connection with Wellington Street Congregation, Glasgow, on 12th May, 1863 (UGSC, Sp Coll T.C.L. 4126);

2. Jubilee of the United Presbyterian Church, Wellington Street, Glasgow. Report of Services (Glasgow: Aird & Coghill, 1878); see ‘Report of Congregational Meeting, on 21st November, 1877 in Wellington Street Church, in Connection with the Jubilee Celebration’ (GCA, CH3/1238/1-2);

3. Wellington United Presbyterian Church, Literary Association [Fifth] Minute Book, 1892-1896 (GCA, CH3/1238/1-2);

4. Fleming, Alexander,Historical Sketch of Wellington United Presbyterian Congregation, Glasgow (1792-1892), with an Account of the Proceedings in Connection with the Celebration of the Centenary of the Congregation and of the Rev. Dr. Black’s Semi-jubilee as its Minister (Glasgow: Maclure, Macdonald & Co., 1893) (MLSC, Mitchell (GC) 285.241443 WEL 475664);

5. Report of Wellington United Free Church, Glasgow, for the Year Ended 30th September, 1901 (GCA, CH3/1238/1);

6. Report and year book, Wellington United Free Church (Glasgow: [The Church]); Notes from theMitchell Library online catalogue: GC: 1905/06-1919/20, 1921/22-1926/27; 285.241443 (MLSC, Mitchell (GC), 285.241443 WEL 575166)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives (GCA)

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

University of Glasgow Special Collections (UGSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

See also Langside (Literary) Society, St. Columba Literary Association, St. Stephen’s Literary Association, College U.F. Church Literary Society, Berkeley Street U.P. Church Literary Association, Free St. Matthew’s Y.M.C. Union, St. Columba’s Literary Association, Sandyford Church Literary Association [aka Sandyford Established Association], and Free College Church Association, with whom this society had a least one joint meeting.

Wellpark Free Church Literary Society

Overview

The Wellpark Free Church was located in Dennistoun, an area in the east end of the city. (For more information about this church, seeGlasgow ‘ — Wellpark‘ on the Ecclegen website, and Gordon Adams’s article, Wellpark‘ Church of Scotland‘ on the East Glasgow History website. For more information about this area, see Ian R. Mitchell’s article, ‘Dennistoun: No Mean Streets‘ on the Glasgow West End website.)

The information on this society comes from five printed brochures and three ‘literary’ magazines (see ‘Additional Notes’ below) that were produced by and for the society members. From their Constitution, we know that the object of the group was its members’ religious, moral and intellectual improvement. This was to be achieved by reading essays and holding debates at its meetings.

The group met on Friday evenings at 8.15pm at the church Session House (located around the corner from the church on Ark Lane) between October and March. Although there are no extant membership rolls, from the list of the society magazines’ ‘Readers’, we know that this group had about 30 members in the 1880s.

A full case study of this society and its magazine was published by Lauren Weiss in 2016 (see Lauren Weiss, ‘The Manuscript Magazines of the Wellpark Free Church Young Men’s Literary Society’, inMedia and Print Culture Consumption in Nineteenth-Century Britain: The Victorian Reading Experience, ed. by Paul Raphael Rooney and Anna Gasperini (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016), pp. 53-73).

Date of Existence

1883?-1888?

Source of Information

1. (Announcement of current parliamentary election);

2. (Itinerary for ‘musical entertainment and reading’);

3. (Programme of 1883 opening social meeting);

4. (Schedule ‘conversazione’ for the 1883);

5. ‘Syllabus’ for the 1883-84 session (includes constitution and bye-laws) (Note: Nos. 1-5 are all pasted into back of society’s 1883-84 magazine (pp. 148-51));

6. Wellpark F.C. Literary Society M. S. Magazine, 1883-84 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 428697);

7. Manuscript magazine of Wellpark Free Church Young Men’s Literary Society, 1887-88 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 428698);

8. Wellpark F. C. Literary Society Magazine, 1888 (MLSC, Mitchell (AL) 428699);

9. (Newspaper clipping on The Ballad Club in The Scots Pictorial, 15 January 1902; Alexander Lamont was a member of the Wellpark society, The Ballad Club and the Sir Walter Scott Club) (MLSC, Young’s Scrapbooks Vol. 6, pp. 39-40)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes

Alexander Lamont (head-master of one of the local schools in the 1880s at least, and published author) was a member of this club, as well as the Sir Walter Scott Club, and the Glasgow Ballad Club.

See also Barony Free Church Literary Society, with whom this society had a joint debate.

See also entry for Wellpark F. C. Literary Society M.S. Magazine on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Western Literary Club (currently unknown if this is Western Club, founded 1825)

Overview

There is little currently known about this club. The information we have comes from an 1846 newspaper article in theGlasgow Courier, which was reprinted in the London Morning Post. According to the article, in 1841, William Wordsworth accepted the honorary post of patron of the Western Literary Club. The article quotes a letter from him. The poet thanks the club secretary for sending a newspaper article on the club, in which is mentioned the club’s intention to form a library, to which he expressed the wish to donate an autographed copy of his poems. There are no other details on the group in this article.

Date of Existence

1834? (possibly 1841)-?

Source of Information

‘Mr. Wordsworth’s Connections with the Literary Institutions of Glasgow’,Morning Post, 21 November 1846, p. 6 (reference to meeting of 1841)

(Note: this issue of the Morning Post has been digitised and is available on the British Newspaper Archive website. For information about viewing copies of theGlasgow Courier, see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Repository

National Library of Scotland

Reference Number

–

Additional Notes

Copies of the Glasgow Courier are available at the Mitchell Library and the National Library of Scotland. For digitised copies of both theMorning Post, see the British Newspaper Archive: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

This article notes that the piece is from theGlasgow Courier for Thursday, 19 November 1846.

Western Scientific Association Overview

The information that we have on this society comes solely from a newspaper article attributed to Thomas Lugton and written over fifty years after the group’s last recorded activity. The article states that this association was founded in 1843 as ‘a debating society, open to lads between 15 and 18…some records of which still exist. Papers read at the meetings were afterwards written by their authors in the society’s year-book’.

([Thomas Lugton], ‘An Old Glasgow MS. Magazine. Lucubrations of the “Western Scientific Association”’, The Evening Times, 3 May 1907, p. 4)

(For more information about Thomas Lugton, see ‘Additional Information’ at the bottom of the entry for(Title currently unknown), Western Scientific Association (Glasgow), on our sister website, Literary Bonds.)

To date, the records of this society to which Lugton refers have not been located.

It is arguable whether or not this group should be included in this project. While it was predominantly a debating society, it is included in this survey of literary societies as the composition of original essays and poems were included amongst the group’s activities. These were collected and written into their society’s ‘yearbook’, which does not appear to have survived (see ‘Additional Notes’ below).

Date of Existence

1843-?

Source of Information

(Newspaper clipping, annotated:) ‘Times. 3 May 1907. Thomas Lugton’ ([Thomas Lugton], ‘An Old Glasgow MS. Magazine. Lucubrations of the “Western Scientific Association”’, The Evening Times, 3 May 1907, p. 4)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections

Reference Number

Young’s Scrapbooks, Vol. 16 (p. 77) Additional Notes

See also entry for theWestern Scientific Association’s magazine (title currently unknown) on our sister website, Literary Bonds.

Ye Govan Cronies Burns Club (aka Govan Ye Cronies Burns Club)

Overview

In 1913, there were 50 members, which was the maximum limit set by this club, and the Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory for this year reports that there were even several men on the waiting list. The following year, the limit was raised to 60 as the club was apparently a popular one.

The group met at 7.30pm in the Red Lamp on Maxwell Street (presumably this was a pub or restaurant) on the second Friday between September and March as well as in June.

According to the 1913 ‘Club Directory’, the group’s regulations set out:

‘That the members of the Club shall consist of men who honour and revere the memory of Burns; that the membership shall not exceed fifty in number, and each candidate for membership must be a Freemason; and to promote social and friendly intercouse amongst its members.’

(‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1913’, in Annual Burns Chronicle and Club Directory, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1913), p. 208)

Date of Existence 1895-? Federated 18 May 1911

Source of Information

1. (Mentioned in minutes of the Glasgow and District Burns Club: Minute entry, 27 March 1913, Glasgow and District Burns Club, Minutes, 12 September 1912-30 April 1919, p. 15 (MLSC, 891709));

2. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1912’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXI (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1912), p. 185;

3. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1913’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1913), p. 208;

4. ‘Directory of Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies on the Roll of the Burns Federation, 1914’, in BC, ed. by D. M’Naught, No. XXIII (Kilmarnock: Burns Federation, January 1914), p. 227

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC) (Minutes, and Annual Burns Chronicle)

National Library of Scotland (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information, and below for Annual Burns Chronicle)

BNS19BUR (MLSC) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

General Reading Room (stored offsite), Y.233, available no. 1-34 25th Jan. 1892-Jan. 1925 (NLS) (Annual Burns Chronicle)

Additional Notes

See also Glasgow and District Burns Club.

Young Men’s Friendly Society, St. Mary’s Branch, Glasgow, Debating Society

Overview

Members of this debating society were most likely members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, which was located on Great Western Road, in the West End of Glasgow. (For a history of this church, see ‘History‘, on the St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow webpage.)

The meetings of the Young Men’s Friendly Society were held at Burnbank Hall (St. Mary’s Church hall) on 236 Great Western Road. The hall itself was was open every evening.

Information on this society is given in a printed brochure for the inaugural meeting of the St. Mary’s Branch of the Young Men’s Friendly Society, which was held at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 13th [1894?], in Burnbank Hall. Although this group was for young men, young women were also encouraged to attend this opening meeting.

In the brochure, the society announced its plans, or ‘Work Arranged For The Winter Season’, in the form of several types of classes and societies that were organised for its members. Amongst them were a Musical Society, and ‘Improvement Classes, &.’, which included classes in shorthand, English literature, carving, ambulance (presumably a first-aid class), and fencing.

On the next page is a syllabus for the group’s debating society . The syllabus for this winter session is a good example of the typical variety of essays read and debates that were held by many literary societies in during this period. According to the schedule, the members of this society would have heard a lecture on ‘The Brain and its Functions’, given by Dr. C. O. Hawthorne (18 October), a debate ‘That Parliamentary Suffrage should be granted to Women’ (8 November), a lecture on ‘Tennyson as an Onomatopeist, Word Painter, and Lyric Poet’ (15 November), a debate ‘That the House of Lords should be abolished’ (6 December), a lecture on Jane Austen (13 December), and a debate ‘That Single Life is preferable to Married Life’ (27 December). In addition to the lectures and debates, a smoking concert (i.e. usually a musical performance at which the audience–in this case restricted to men–was allowed to smoke) and a soiree were planned.

Date of Existence

13 October [1894?]-?

Source of Information

(Syllabus for Debating Society, October-December (1894?), includes notice of Musical Society, and list of ‘Improvement Classes &c’ including English Literature, and ‘Rules for Conduct of Lectures and Debates’)

Repository

Mitchell Library Special Collections (MLSC)

Reference Number

Glasgow Scrapbooks, No. 23 (p. 261)

Additional Notes