Phi Alpha Literary Society
Encyclopedia
Phi Alpha is a men's Literary Society
founded in 1845 at Illinois College
in Jacksonville, Illinois
. It conducts Business Meetings, Literary Productions, and other activities in Beecher Hall
, the oldest college building in the state of Illinois.
An eighth man associated with this founding was:
The founders formed this society in the room of Greenbury Ridgely Henry in the northeast corner of the third floor of the old dormitory. "Henry was chosen temporary chairman, while Baldwin, Jayne, and Wright were appointed a committee to prepare a constitution."
. In the early years it was customary for the society to sponsor lectures throughout the school year, and the profits were used to expand the society's library. Dr. William Jayne, a founder of the society, was "a neighbor, political and social friend of Abraham Lincoln from 1836 until the latter's death in 1865" and was largely responsible for bringing Lincoln to town. As a result, Lincoln came to Jacksonville, Illinois and delivered a speech entitled "Discoveries and Inventions" on February 11, 1859. William Herndon
, Lincoln's law partner and biographer, claimed the lecture was written to raise money after an expensive failed campaign for US Senate against Stephen A. Douglas
in 1858. According to one contemporary account the lecture was "received with repeated and hearty bursts of applause", and another added that "the lecturer drew largely from his fund of spicy anecdotes and the lecture proved highly entertaining". Despite the apparently high entertainment value of Lincoln's lecture, attendance was low and Phi Alpha couldn't bring in much money selling tickets. Dr. Jayne chronicled what happened next in an address delivered to the Grand Army Hall and Memorial Association on February 12, 1900: "Mr. Lincoln, with a kind smile, said to the president of the society, 'I have not made much money for you to-night.' In reply the president said, 'When we pay for the rent of the hall, music and advertising and your compensation, there will not be much left to buy books with for the library.' 'Well, boys, be hopeful; pay me my railroad fare and 50 cents for my supper at the hotel and we are square.'"
, Phi Alpha men numbered 104 for the Union and 12 for the Confederacy.
faculty or staff members. This is intended to develop a stronger relationship with the campus community, and it provides a learning opportunity for the membership.
Phi Alpha also hosts public debates in the pursuit of the strengthening of communication skills.
Finally, Phi Alpha conducts weekly business meetings, which are conducted using Robert's Rules of Order
. These meetings are intended to direct the everyday operations of Phi Alpha and also to serve the mission of Phi Alpha by practicing democratic principles.
Literary society
A literary society is a group of people interested in literature. In the modern sense, this refers to a society that wants to promote one genre of literature or a specific writer. Modern literary societies typically promote research about their chosen author or genre, publish newsletters, and hold...
founded in 1845 at Illinois College
Illinois College
Illinois College is a private, liberal arts college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church , and located in Jacksonville, Illinois. It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree . It was founded in 1829 by the Illinois Band,...
in Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County....
. It conducts Business Meetings, Literary Productions, and other activities in Beecher Hall
Beecher Hall
Beecher Hall is the first college building erected in the state of Illinois. It housed Illinois' first medical school in 1843. It is named after the first president of Illinois College, Edward Beecher. Beecher Hall is recognized by the National Park Service as being a stop on the Underground...
, the oldest college building in the state of Illinois.
Origin
"On Thursday evening, September 25, 1845, seven students from Illinois College gathered in a small room on the third floor of the old dormitory and made a momentous and historic decision. In order to unite a group of men whose ideas and principles were similar enough as to desire a common bond of fellowship, a new society was to be organized. Five days later the Immortal Seven drew up and adopted the constitution that proved to be the birth certificate of Phi Alpha Literary Society."Founders
The seven founders of Phi Alpha who are called the Immortal Seven are:- Nehemiah Wright (February 20, 1824 January 29, 1891) was born in Ashland, New HampshireAshland, New HampshireAshland is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,076 at the 2010 census. Located near the geographical center of the state, Ashland is home to Scribner-Fellows State Forest....
. He moved to Illinois at the age of 18 and attended Illinois CollegeIllinois CollegeIllinois College is a private, liberal arts college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church , and located in Jacksonville, Illinois. It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree . It was founded in 1829 by the Illinois Band,...
in 1845. While active he served as the society's second recording secretary. Wright married Frances L. Huckins in 1849, and together they had 3 children. Wright then moved to Chatham, IllinoisChatham, IllinoisChatham is a village in Sangamon County, Illinois, United States. The population was 11,500 as of the 2010 census. The village lies along the original alignment of historic U.S...
on January 10, 1850. In 1865 he earned an M.D. degree from Rush Medical CollegeRush Medical CollegeRush Medical College is the medical school of Rush University, a private university in Chicago, Illinois. Rush Medical College was one of the first medical colleges in the state of Illinois and was chartered in 1837, two days before the city of Chicago was chartered, and opened with 22 students on...
in Chicago. In 1872 he was elected county physician of Sangamon County, IllinoisSangamon County, IllinoisSangamon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 197,465, which is an increase of 4.5% from 188,951 in 2000...
. He was well known for his literary talent, and presented a well received poem at Phi Alpha's May 1876 reunion.
- Robert Davidson Wilson (January 1st, 1826 April 27, 1894) was born in Carmi, IllinoisCarmi, IllinoisCarmi is a city in White County, Illinois, along the Little Wabash River. The population was 5,240 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of White County.-Demographics:...
. He attended Illinois CollegeIllinois CollegeIllinois College is a private, liberal arts college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church , and located in Jacksonville, Illinois. It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree . It was founded in 1829 by the Illinois Band,...
from 1844 to 1850. He studied law with his father, William Wilson, chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. He died in Wallace, California.
- Robert Wilkinson (September 26, 1827 September 30, 1893) was born in Hopkinsville, KentuckyHopkinsville, KentuckyHopkinsville is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 31,577 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Christian County.- History :...
in 1827 and moved to Illinois at a young age. He entered Illinois CollegeIllinois CollegeIllinois College is a private, liberal arts college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church , and located in Jacksonville, Illinois. It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree . It was founded in 1829 by the Illinois Band,...
in 1843 and while an active member of Phi Alpha he served as recording secretary and president. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1849, and ultimately practiced law in the states of Illinois, Colorado, and Kansas. He served as Probate Judge of Doniphan County, KansasDoniphan County, KansasDoniphan County is a county located in Northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 7,945. Its county seat is Troy and its most populous city is Wathena. The county along with Buchanan, Andrew, and DeKalb counties in Missouri is included in...
for "about twenty years".
- William JayneWilliam JayneWilliam A. Jayne was an American physician and statesman. He served as Governor of the Dakota Territory and as the territory's delegate to the United States House of Representatives during the American Civil War....
- Florence Eugene BaldwinFlorence Eugene BaldwinFlorence Eugene Baldwin was a member of the Minnesota State Senate, and was the first Recording Secretary and a founding member of Phi Alpha Literary Society....
- Henry Smith Van EatonHenry Smith Van EatonHenry Smith Van Eaton was a U.S. Representative from the state of Mississippi.Van Eaton was born and raised in Anderson Township, Ohio. In 1848, he graduated from Illinois College, Jacksonville, Illinois, where he studied law. During this time, he became a founding member of Phi Alpha Literary...
- Greenbury Ridgely Henry (September 21, 1828 May 14, 1885) was born in Hopkinsville, KentuckyHopkinsville, KentuckyHopkinsville is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 31,577 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Christian County.- History :...
. He attended Jubilee College from 1841 to 1842, and Illinois CollegeIllinois CollegeIllinois College is a private, liberal arts college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church , and located in Jacksonville, Illinois. It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree . It was founded in 1829 by the Illinois Band,...
from 1844 to 1847. While attending Illinois College, Phi Alpha Literary Society was founded in his dorm room on September 30, 1845. He was chosen as temporary chairman of the organization in the days before its constitution was adopted. He then studied medicine at the University of LouisvilleUniversity of LouisvilleThe University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
and graduated in 1849. Soon after the Civil WarCivil warA civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
began he was offered a surgeon's commission in the Union Army but declined it. He served as a member of the school board in Burlington, IowaBurlington, IowaBurlington is a city in, and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 25,663 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in the 2000 census. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area including West Burlington, Iowa and Middletown, Iowa and...
as well as a trustee of the Insane Hospital at Mount Pleasant, IowaMount Pleasant, IowaMount Pleasant is a city in and the county seat of Henry County, Iowa, in the United States. The population was 8,668 in the 2010 census, a decline from 8,751 in the 2000 census. It was founded in 1835 by pioneer Presley Saunders.- History :...
. On October 16, 1850 Henry married Catherine Chambers, of Jacksonville, Illinois. That same year he was a charter member of the Iowa State Medical Society and served as its first treasurer, an office that he held for three years. Henry published "various articles" in the Boston Medical Journal and in the Medico-Chirurgical Review of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died in Burlington, Iowa, in 1885.
An eighth man associated with this founding was:
- Pike Clinton Ross (July 6, 1825 December 7, 1890) born in Lewistown, IllinoisLewistown, IllinoisLewistown is a city in Fulton County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,522 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Fulton County. Located in central Illinois, it is southwest of Peoria. It is the source of Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters, who lived there...
. He attended Canton College from 1842 to 1843 and then Illinois CollegeIllinois CollegeIllinois College is a private, liberal arts college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church , and located in Jacksonville, Illinois. It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree . It was founded in 1829 by the Illinois Band,...
from 1845 to 1846. He served in the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1847 as a member of the 4th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Infantry and took part in the battles of Veracruz and Cerro GordoBattle of Cerro GordoThe Battle of Cerro Gordo, or Battle of Sierra Gordo, in the Mexican-American War saw Winfield Scott's United States troops flank and drive Santa Anna's larger Mexican army from a strong defensive position.-Battle:...
. He served with the rank of private, enlisted on July, 4 1846 and was mustered out on May 26, 1847. He then studied medicine from 1851 to 1853 at Ohio Medical College in CincinnatiUniversity of Cincinnati Academic Health CenterThe University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center is a healthcare center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a major source of education, medical care, and research in Greater Cincinnati and has a distinguished reputation for training prominent health care professionals and providing leading-edge research...
. In 1866 he married Margaret Irwin and fathered five children. He died in Canton, IllinoisCanton, IllinoisCanton is the largest city in Fulton County, Illinois in the United States. The population was 18,288 as of the 2000 Census. The Canton Micropolitan Statistical Area covers all of Fulton County; it is in turn part of the wider Peoria-Canton, IL Combined Statistical Area .-Geography:Canton is...
.
The founders formed this society in the room of Greenbury Ridgely Henry in the northeast corner of the third floor of the old dormitory. "Henry was chosen temporary chairman, while Baldwin, Jayne, and Wright were appointed a committee to prepare a constitution."
Abraham Lincoln
Phi Alpha has a notable connection with Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
. In the early years it was customary for the society to sponsor lectures throughout the school year, and the profits were used to expand the society's library. Dr. William Jayne, a founder of the society, was "a neighbor, political and social friend of Abraham Lincoln from 1836 until the latter's death in 1865" and was largely responsible for bringing Lincoln to town. As a result, Lincoln came to Jacksonville, Illinois and delivered a speech entitled "Discoveries and Inventions" on February 11, 1859. William Herndon
William Herndon
William Herndon may refer to:*William Herndon , officer and explorer in the United States Navy*William Herndon , law partner and biographer of Abraham Lincoln...
, Lincoln's law partner and biographer, claimed the lecture was written to raise money after an expensive failed campaign for US Senate against Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen A. Douglas
Stephen Arnold Douglas was an American politician from the western state of Illinois, and was the Northern Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860. He lost to the Republican Party's candidate, Abraham Lincoln, whom he had defeated two years earlier in a Senate contest following a famed...
in 1858. According to one contemporary account the lecture was "received with repeated and hearty bursts of applause", and another added that "the lecturer drew largely from his fund of spicy anecdotes and the lecture proved highly entertaining". Despite the apparently high entertainment value of Lincoln's lecture, attendance was low and Phi Alpha couldn't bring in much money selling tickets. Dr. Jayne chronicled what happened next in an address delivered to the Grand Army Hall and Memorial Association on February 12, 1900: "Mr. Lincoln, with a kind smile, said to the president of the society, 'I have not made much money for you to-night.' In reply the president said, 'When we pay for the rent of the hall, music and advertising and your compensation, there will not be much left to buy books with for the library.' 'Well, boys, be hopeful; pay me my railroad fare and 50 cents for my supper at the hotel and we are square.'"
Early Debate
On May 5, 1881, Phi Alpha's debate victory over the Adelphi Society of Knox College was "one of the earliest of all intercollegiate debates in the country". The subject of the debate was prohibition. This event was celebrated in 1978 on the 150th anniversary of Illinois College with another debate against Knox College. This time the subject was "Resolved: That the Electoral College Should be Abolished."The Issue of Slavery
In its early years, Phi Alpha was built on a broad democracy in the selection of its members. Phi Alpha members debated on both sides of the question of slavery and according to the late president of the college Charles Rammelkamp, "the students who in later years got into trouble with the faculty on issues relating to the slavery question were usually members of Phi Alpha". The students who enrolled at Illinois College from the border states of Kentucky and Missouri usually joined Phi Alpha. During the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Phi Alpha men numbered 104 for the Union and 12 for the Confederacy.
Purpose
The purpose of Phi Alpha Literary Society is concisely stated in its constitution. "The purpose of the society shall be the attainment of truth, literary improvement of her members, and the furthering of her democratic heritage." The society also strives to develop the social, communication, and leadership skills of the membership.Operations
True to its purpose, Phi Alpha hosts a number of literary functions throughout the year. Each semester, three judged Literary Productions are held. These judged meetings consist of five pieces given by society members to an audience. Pieces range from opinionated speeches to research presentations to original fiction. Also a Poet who is elected each semester will recite an original poem, and an impromptu speech is given on a subject revealed by the Critic during the meeting. A similar kind of meeting (called a Cooperative Literary Meeting) is held once a semester. It is composed of three Phis and three Illinois CollegeIllinois College
Illinois College is a private, liberal arts college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church , and located in Jacksonville, Illinois. It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree . It was founded in 1829 by the Illinois Band,...
faculty or staff members. This is intended to develop a stronger relationship with the campus community, and it provides a learning opportunity for the membership.
Phi Alpha also hosts public debates in the pursuit of the strengthening of communication skills.
Finally, Phi Alpha conducts weekly business meetings, which are conducted using Robert's Rules of Order
Robert's Rules of Order
Robert's Rules of Order is the short title of a book containing rules of order intended to be adopted as a parliamentary authority for use by a deliberative assembly written by Brig. Gen...
. These meetings are intended to direct the everyday operations of Phi Alpha and also to serve the mission of Phi Alpha by practicing democratic principles.
Notable members
Since its founding, Phi Alpha has incorporated many successful men into its ranks, for example,- William JayneWilliam JayneWilliam A. Jayne was an American physician and statesman. He served as Governor of the Dakota Territory and as the territory's delegate to the United States House of Representatives during the American Civil War....
, First Governor of the Dakota Territory, 1861-1863, U.S. Representative from Illinois, 1863-1864. - Henry Smith Van EatonHenry Smith Van EatonHenry Smith Van Eaton was a U.S. Representative from the state of Mississippi.Van Eaton was born and raised in Anderson Township, Ohio. In 1848, he graduated from Illinois College, Jacksonville, Illinois, where he studied law. During this time, he became a founding member of Phi Alpha Literary...
, U.S. Representative from Mississippi, 6th District, 1883-1887. - Paul FindleyPaul FindleyPaul Findley is a former United States Representative from Illinois, representing its 20th District. A Republican, he was first elected in 1961. Findley lost his seat in 1982 to current United States Senator Dick Durbin. Findley attended Illinois College and is a member of Phi Alpha Literary Society...
, U.S. Representative from Illinois, 20th District, 1961-1982. - Ralph Tyler SmithRalph Tyler SmithRalph Tyler Smith was born in Granite City, Illinois. Smith was a Republican politician from Illinois and served in the Illinois state house from 1955 through 1969, including two years as the Speaker of the House from 1967 to 1969. Upon the death of Everett Dirksen, Governor Richard B...
, U.S. Senator, 1969-1970. - Richard Henry MillsRichard Henry MillsRichard Henry Mills is a senior United States federal judge on the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois....
, Judge, U.S. District Court 1985- - Samuel W. Nichols, philanthropist, donated property now known as Nichols Park in Jacksonville, IL.
- William McKendree SpringerWilliam McKendree SpringerWilliam McKendree Springer was a United States Representative from Illinois.He was born near New Lebanon, Sullivan County, Indiana, May 30, 1836; moved to Jacksonville, Illinois, with his parents in 1848; attended the public schools in New Lebanon and Jacksonville and the Illinois College at...
, U.S. Representative from Illinois, 1875-1895. Chief Justice of the United States Court of Appeals of Indian TerritoryIndian TerritoryThe Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
, 1895-1900.
Notable honorary members
Phi Alpha, in addition to its traditional membership, has granted honorary membership to those whom it feels exhibit the characteristics of a Phi Alpha member. Often, such a person is first invited to give a literary production to the Phi Alpha membership.- Abraham LincolnAbraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
, U.S. President, 1861-1865, inducted February 4, 1859. - Paul SimonPaul Simon (politician)Paul Martin Simon was an American politician from Illinois. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1985 and United States Senate from 1985 to 1997. He was a member of the Democratic Party...
, U.S. Representative, 1974-1985, U.S. Senator, 1985-1997, Democratic presidential nominee candidate, 1988, inducted 1997. - Alison WeirIf Americans KnewIf Americans Knew is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the Arab–Israeli conflict and the Foreign policy of the United States regarding the Middle East, offering analysis of American media coverage of these issues. Its mission, according to the group's website, is to provide "what every...
, Freelance Journalist, inducted March, 2004. First woman to receive membership. - David Herbert DonaldDavid Herbert Donald- Career :Majoring in history and sociology, Donald earned his bachelor degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He earned his PhD in 1946 under the eminent, leading Lincoln scholar, James G. Randall at the University of Illinois...
, Professor and Author, two time Pulitzer prize winner, inducted November 19, 2002. - Dr. Axel Steuer, President of Illinois College, 2003-, inducted April 25, 2005.
- Rami KhouriRami George KhouriRami George Khouri born 22 October 1948, in New York City to an Arab Palestinian Christian family. His father, George Khouri, a Nazarene journalist in what was the British mandate of Palestine had traveled with his wife to New York in 1947 to cover the United Nations debates about the future of...
, Palestinian-Jordanian author, scholar, and commentator, inducted 2001. - Ken Bradbury, Playwright, inducted November 6, 2006.
- Lee H. HamiltonLee H. HamiltonLee Herbert Hamilton is a former member of the United States House of Representatives and currently a member of the U.S. Homeland Security Advisory Council. A member of the Democratic Party, Hamilton represented the 9th congressional district of Indiana from 1965 to 1999...
, U.S. Representative, 1965-1999, Director, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, inducted April 24, 2008. - Helen ThomasHelen ThomasHelen Thomas is an American author and former news service reporter, member of the White House Press Corps and opinion columnist. She worked for the United Press and post-1958 successor United Press International for 57 years, first as a correspondent, and later as White House bureau manager...
, Veteran White House correspondent, 1961-2010, inducted April 7, 2010. - Khalaf Al Habtoor, Billionaire, inducted May 15, 2010.