The Philolexian Society of Columbia University is one of the oldest college literary and debate societies in the United States, and the oldest student group at Columbia. Founded in 1802, the society aims to "improve its members in Oratory, Composition and Forensic Discussion." The society traces its roots to a collegiate literary society founded in the 1770s by Alexander Hamilton , then a student at Columbia College , and was officially established by Hamilton's son, James Alexander Hamilton (Columbia College Class of 1805).
31-622: The Alfred Joyce Kilmer Memorial Bad Poetry Contest has been hosted annually by the Philolexian Society , a literary and debating group at Columbia University , since 1986, drawing crowds of 200–300 students and participants vying for the title of best of the worst. Columbia faculty members serve as judges. The event is usually held in November and is heralded by the appearance of "Bad Poetry in Motion" flyers around campus (satirizing
62-514: A Columbia Fellowship. World War I divided American progressives and pitted an anti-war faction—including Bourne and Jane Addams —against a pro-war faction led by pragmatist philosopher and educational theorist John Dewey . Bourne was a student of Dewey's at Columbia , but he rejected Dewey's idea of using the war to spread democracy. (He was a member of the Boar's Head Society . ) In his pointedly titled 1917 essay " Twilight of Idols ", he invoked
93-611: A foundational work in disability studies. At age 23, he won a scholarship to study at Columbia University, from which he graduated in 1912 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master's degree in 1913. He was a journalist and editor of the Columbia Monthly, and he was also a contributor to the weekly The New Republic since it was first launched in 1914, but after America entered the war, the magazine found his pacifist views incompatible. From 1913 to 1914, he studied in Europe on
124-442: A fund for small theatre projects, later named for Robert C. Schnitzer (Class of 1927), and sponsored an improv comedy group called Klaritin. The number of Philolexians is unknown. Those who wish to gain full membership within the society must speak at three “consecutive” meetings and attend regularly. Those candidates who qualify may receive an invitation to New Member Night, a secretive initiation rite. A petition for membership and
155-475: A graduate of Columbia University . He is considered to be a spokesman for the young radicals living during World War I . His articles appeared in journals including The Seven Arts and The New Republic . Bourne is best known for his essays, especially his unfinished work "The State," discovered after he died. From this essay, which was published posthumously and included in Untimely Papers , comes
186-690: A long "i") has been called the "oldest thing at Columbia except for the College itself," and it has been an integral part of Columbia from the beginning, providing the institution with its distinctive color, Philolexian Blue (along with white, from her long-dispatched rival, the Peithologian Society ). Philolexian is one of many collegiate literary societies that flourished at the nation's early colonial colleges. Before fraternities, publications, and other extracurriculars became common, these groups—which generally bore Greek or Latin names—were
217-667: A now-dormant rival society, the Peithologian. These colors were later appropriated by Columbia University for its own use. Its seal is called the Philogo. The Philolexian Society holds meetings every Thursday the university is in session; the agenda typically consists of a debate and the presentation of a literary work. It also hosts a Croquet Tea, the Annual Joyce Kilmer Memorial Bad Poetry Contest (which has received coverage in
248-411: A prize fund of over $ 1,300 to endow annual awards in three categories: Oratory, Debate, and Essay. (The awards were eventually combined into a general "Philolexian Prize" which, since the 1950s, has been awarded annually by Columbia University's English department.) During Columbia College 's tenure in midtown Manhattan from 1857 to 1896, Philolexian often held their meetings in an old paper factory in
279-447: A trans-national nation, which would have interconnecting cultural fibers with other countries. Bourne felt America would grow more as a country by broadening people's views to include immigrants' ways instead of conforming everyone to the melting-pot ideal. This broadening of people's views would eventually lead to a nation where all who live in it are united, which would inevitably pull the country towards greatness. This article and most of
310-458: A work of original, creative merit must be provided by the candidate. This meeting is not open to the public. Members have access to a large number of privileges through the organization. Philolexians have: Randolph Bourne Randolph Silliman Bourne ( / b ɔːr n / ; May 30, 1886 – December 22, 1918) was a progressive writer and intellectual born in Bloomfield, New Jersey , and
341-679: The New York Times ) (the winner of which becomes the Poet Laureate of the society until the next Contest), a beat poetry event appropriately called Beat Night, and a Greek-style symposium . The organization also publishes a collection of poetry, prose, and visual media called Surgam three times year. Its winter issue compiles the best entries from the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Bad Poetry Contest . Starting in 2003, Philolexian has organized
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#1732801408596372-584: The New York City Subway 's " Poetry in Motion " series) featuring some of the best verses of the last 20 years, as well as door-to-door readings in the dorms, usually performed by prospective new members ("phreshlings"). The event is named for "bad" poet (and Philolexian alumnus) Joyce Kilmer . His most famous work, Trees , is read aloud by audience members at the contest's end. In 2012, the Columbia Daily Spectator listed
403-443: The Peithologian Society was formed four years later. For most of the next 100 years, Peithologian would serve as Philolexian's primary literary rival. For most of the 19th century, Philo engaged in a wide range of literary activities, including debates within and without the society, essay writing, correspondence, and hosting speeches by eminent men of the city. In 1852, at the organization's semi-centennial celebration, alumni raised
434-467: The Columbia chapter of Alpha Delta Phi , was followed by an even longer period of inactivity. On Wednesday, October 16, 1985, under the guidance of Thomas Vinciguerra (Class of 1985), the society was revived in its current incarnation. Mr. Vinciguerra was subsequently recognized as the society's "Avatar" in honor of this and other critical and successful efforts for Philo. In 2003, an award in his name
465-636: The Halls, Chancellor of the Exchequer , Sergeant-at-Arms , Whip , Minister of Internet Truth , Nomenclaturist-General, Symposiarch, and Literary Czar, editor of the literary journal of the Society. The name Philolexia is Greek for "love of discourse," and the society's motto is the Latin word Surgam , meaning "I shall rise." Its colors are Philolexian Blue and Peithologian White, the latter in honor of
496-525: The Kilmer Bad Poetry Contest #1 among its "Best Columbia Arts Traditions". The two top Kilmer laureates are Stephen Blair, Columbia College '11, who won the contest in 2008, 2012 and 2013; and Everett Patterson, Columbia College '06, who won in 2003 and 2005. This article about a poetry award is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Philolexian Society Philolexian (known to members as "Philo," pronounced with
527-572: The Philolexian Centennial Washington Prize, an oratory competition endowed by J. Ackerman Coles (Class of 1864), bestowed on the society on the occasion of its centennial in 1902. This short-lived revival was followed by another wartime incarnation. By 1952, due to waning interest and, according to some, the infamous presidency of the poet Allen Ginsberg (Class of 1948), the society entered 10 years of dormancy. Another brief revival in 1962, spearheaded by members of
558-581: The United States under James Monroe. The group became extinct in 1795. Building on these earlier efforts, Philolexian was established on May 17, 1802. Among its earliest members were future Columbia president Nathaniel Fish Moore (Class of 1802), and Alexander Hamilton's son, James Alexander Hamilton (Class of 1805), U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York . To accommodate freshmen, who were initially ineligible for admission,
589-519: The United States. Therefore, Bourne could not see immigrants from all different parts of the world assimilating to the Anglo-Saxon traditions, which were viewed as American traditions. This article goes on to say that America offers a unique liberty of opportunity and can still offer traditional isolation, which he felt could lead to a cosmopolitan enterprise. He felt that with this great mix of cultures and people, America would be able to grow into
620-476: The economic hardships of the period severely curtailed the group's activities. By the late 1930s, according to former society president Ralph de Toledano (Class of 1938), the organization was devoted mainly to drinking wine and listening to jazz. Philo effectively ceased to function by the beginning of World War II. But in 1943, at the behest of Columbia history professor and former Philo president Jacques Barzun (Class of 1927), several undergraduates competed for
651-419: The melting-pot theory and does not see immigrants assimilating easily to another culture. Bourne's view of nationality was related to the connection between a person and their "spiritual country", that is, their culture. He argued that people would most often hold tightly to the literature and culture of their native country even if they lived in another. He also believed this was true for the many immigrants to
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#1732801408596682-510: The northeast corner of the 49th street campus . In the 20th century, Philo broadened its range of activities as it became a training ground for essayist Randolph Bourne (Class of 1912), poet A. Joyce Kilmer (Class of 1908), and statesman V.K. Wellington Koo (Class of 1909), all prize winners in their time at Philo. In 1910 the society took a decidedly dramatic turn when it commenced a 20-year stretch of annual theatre productions, ranging from Elizabethan comedies to contemporary works. Many of
713-485: The old English way of looking at the world in which I was brought up and which I had such a struggle to get rid of. Bourne died in the Spanish flu pandemic after the war, in 1918. John Dos Passos , an influential American modernist writer, eulogized Bourne in the chapter "Randolph Bourne" of his novel 1919 and drew heavily on the "war is the health of the state" notion in the novel. In this article, Bourne rejects
744-647: The older productions, by the likes of Ben Jonson , Nicholas Udall , and Robert Greene , were North American debuts. Oscar-winning screenwriter Sidney Buchman ( Mr. Smith Goes to Washington , Here Comes Mr. Jordan , Cleopatra ) (Class of 1923) got a start playing Shakespeare's Richard II for a Philo production. Although Philolexian members during the Great Depression included such figures as future Pulitzer Prize-winning poet John Berryman and publisher Robert Giroux (both Class of 1936) and noted Trappist monk and humanist Thomas Merton (Class of 1938),
775-475: The original document, adjusting the organization to suit changes that had happened in the previous 200 years, such as co-education . Nonetheless, the society has retained its traditional forms and rituals almost in their entirety. Philolexian has several officers, the Moderator ( de facto president), Scriba, and Censor ( emeritus president), as well as other enviable positions, including Herald , Keeper of
806-499: The phrase "war is the health of the state" that laments the success of governments in arrogating authority and resources during conflicts. Bourne's face was deformed at birth by misused forceps and the umbilical cord was coiled round his left ear, leaving it permanently damaged and misshapen. At age four, he suffered tuberculosis of the spine , resulting in stunted growth and a hunched back. He chronicled his experiences in his essay titled, "The Handicapped - by one of them", considered
837-427: The progressive pragmatism of Dewey's contemporary William James to argue that America was using democracy as an end to justify the war, but that democracy itself was never examined. Although initially following Dewey, he felt that Dewey had betrayed his democratic ideals by focusing only on the facade of a democratic government rather than on the ideas behind democracy that Dewey had once professed to respect. Bourne
868-749: The sole source of undergraduate social life. Columbia's first such society was formed in the 1770s when the school was still known as King's College; among this unnamed organization's members was future Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton (Class of 1778) and his roommate Robert Troup . After the Revolution, a similar group known as the Columbia College Society for Progress in Letters was formed; among its members were John P. Van Ness (Class of 1789), later mayor of Washington, D.C., and Daniel D. Tompkins (Class of 1795), vice president of
899-418: Was an enthusiast for Jean-Jacques Rousseau 's belief in the necessity of a general will . Bourne once exclaimed, Yes, that is what I would have felt, done, said! I could not judge him and his work by those standards that the hopelessly moral and complacent English have imposed upon our American mind. It was a sort of moral bath; it cleared up for me a whole new democratic morality, and put the last touch upon
930-418: Was established. On Saturday, October 16, 2010, the society celebrated the 25th anniversary of its revival with a reception and meeting for students, alumni (known as "Geezers"), and various supporters; the occasion was dubbed "Resurgam 25." The debate topic, "Resolved: The Philolexian Society Has Never Had It So Good" was overwhelmingly approved. In 2003, the society held a constitutional convention that updated
961-495: Was greatly influenced by Horace Kallen 's 1915 essay, "Democracy Versus the Melting-Pot". Like Kallen, Bourne argued that Americanism ought not to be associated with Anglo-Saxonism . In his 1916 article "Trans-National America," Bourne argued that the United States should accommodate immigrant cultures into a "cosmopolitan America," instead of forcing immigrants to assimilate to the dominant Anglo-Saxon-based culture. Bourne