Polysophical Society minutes
Scope and Contents
Two pages of handwritten minutes of the society's first two meetings, held in the Lewis Building at Brigham Young Academy on November 30 and December 7, 1877. Minutes include summary of Karl G. Maeser's comments on the society's functions, and qualifications for membership. The society's first president was Joseph Keeler, a recent Brigham Young Academy graduate. Minutes recorded by Fannie Rogers, secretary.
Dates
- Creation: 1877
Creator
- Brigham Young Academy. Polysophical Society (creator, Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Original restricted. Photocopy and transcript available for patron use. Microfilm copy open without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Polysophical Society minutes must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Administrative History
The Polysophical Society (1878-1903) was a student organization for public speaking at Brigham Young Academy.
The Polysophical Society was established by Principal Karl G. Maeser during the second term of the second academic year of Brigham Young Academy. The Society provided evening lectures for the community, allowing students the opportunity to engage in public speaking. Guest speakers from outside the Academy also presented at this events.
Beginning in 1900, the Society began to transition away from providing speakers to acting as a lecture bureau. This included providing both lectures and musical performances as part of their schedule. Season tickets for these events were sold at a nominal price.
Extent
2 folders (0.02 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
Fannie Rogers kept minutes of society meetings until her death in 1880. Her family gave the 1877 minutes to her fiance, Josph B. Keeler. After Keeler's death in 1935 the document remained in possession of his family. The Joseph B. Keeler collection was donated by his son, Daniel M. Keeler, to Brigham Young University in 1989. Because of their historical significance, the Polysophical minutes were separated from the Keeler collection and cataloged separately.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; Daniel M. Keeler and Virginia Christensen Keeler; 1989.
Appraisal
Students and student organizations (University Archives Collection Development Policy, V.b.v.2.c, October 2015).
Existence and Location of Copies
Photocopy of original available in Folder 2. Transcription available in Folder 2.
Subject
- Keeler, Joseph B. (Joseph Brigham), 1855-1935 (Person)
- Maeser, Karl G. (Person)
- Rogers, Madona Frances, 1859-1880 (Person)
- Brigham Young Academy -- Societies, etc. (Organization)
- Brigham Young Academy -- Students (Organization)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Register of Polysophical Society minutes
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Benjamin Sipes
- Date
- 2011 February 17
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo UT 84602 US