The Eucleian Society is a Student Society begun at New York University in 1832. (Adelphic Society Records 1832-1833); (New York Athenaeum Society 1821); (Notes on Constitution and By-laws of Eucleian) New York University (NYU) is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational research university in New York City. ...

Eucleian Meeting Parlor, 1830s

Image File history File links Eucleian. ... Image File history File links Eucleian. ...

Origins

In 1832 sixteen students began the Eucleian Society at New York University, originally under the name “Adelphic Society”. After debate the name Eucleian was chosen in honor of Eukleia- εὔκλεια, the Goddess of Repute, Glory and War, associated with Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt and protector of women and children.[1] The Society had as a rival, the Philomathean Society at New York University. (Constitution of Philomathean Society) While both Societies forbade membership in their rival society, early records show that members were sometimes punished when discovered to be holding mutual membership or resigned to join the rival society. The Philmathean Society at New York University is a student society based at but not officially connected to New York University. ...

During the period of its founding, student societies such as Eucleian Society collected their own libraries and augmented their instruction by employing the noted minds of their day. Literary and debate societies offered a departure from the learn-by-rote instruction that prevailed in much of university instruction. Benefiting from a trust formed by A. Ogden Butler and family[2], the organization had a stable source of revenue. The Eucleian Society provided its membership at NYU with a library and augmented student instruction. The University gave the Society its own rooms at the Main University Building. The Eucleian Meeting Parlor was said to be "fitted up in a style of taste and elegance highly creditable to the young gentlemen members." A charitable trust is a trust established for charitable purposes. ...

Secrecy

The Constitution of the Eucleian Society as well as custom stressed secrecy among members. At some point it seems that even honorary membership was no longer a feature of the Society despite the fact several sitting American Presidents had accepted honorary membership in the Society. (Acceptance speeches and letters of Honorary Members)

The organization was well known enough in New York City to be announced in major newspapers in throughout the 19th century, despite of its habits of secrecy. On occasion Eucleians hosted open forums for important topics of the day, inviting lecturers of great popularity and fame. Politics, current affairs, literature (especially the Gothic and Romantic popular in the era), and university events seems to have been the most popular topics for internal essays, orations and discussions. The Society also employed repeated symbolism, allegory and other seemingly mystical allusions in its writings, none of which are fully explained in its writings. Until the turn of the century, officers of the Eucleians also gave public speeches at commencement, apparently occupying a central position in those functions. This practice was ended to preserve the privacy of the Society's membership. (Farewell and Valedictory Addresses)

While there are some archived documents and older publications in circulation, there is very limited information about the Society as a result of its secrecy. In some of the archival records and internal records kept by the Society information has been removed, while other information is written in a kind of short hand, and even the name of the Society itself is omitted on many documents.

Culture

Little has been shared about the system or workings of the organization. The process of membership is said to take several months and to be multi-staged. The aim of the process has been described in general terms to create familiarity among the members and to inculcate the values of the Society. The primary values are excellence, faithfulness, development of the individual, mutual assistance in supporting each member's aspirations and social responsibility. Members are selected once or twice a year.

If anything could be said about the prevailing culture of the Society during its early era is that it tended to be “progressive”, supporting gender equality and abolition at an early juncture. Society members took an unusually keen interest in the plight and nature of Native Americans, hosting and producing a series of lectures and essays on the philosophy and nobility of the "Indian Character".[3]

The Society was a manifestation of student debate and literary societies that were popular prior to fraternities and sororities. It is not surprising that men on the Eucleian rolls gave rise to the Zeta Psi fraternity in 1847. These organizations were influenced by Freemasonry's moral code based on Enlightenment philosophy and ritualism. The William Morgan Affair which gave rise to anti-Masonic witch-hunts forced increased secrecy among fraternal organizations, undoubtedly affecting the ethos of secrecy among the Eucleian Society and like organizations. The Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America Inc. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... “Freemasons” redirects here. ... The Age of Enlightenment (French: ; German: ) was an eighteenth century movement in European and American philosophy, or the longer period including the Age of Reason. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

One early lecturer became a very popular figure with the Society. Edgar Allan Poe was a repeated guest of the Eucleian, and lived on the Square; his poem "The Raven", which had given birth to his celebrity, also became popularly associated with the Society. [4][5] In a fictional work based on New York University’s history of "secret societies" author Linda Fairstein uses the term “Raven Society”, noting that it was also used in references to a New York University literary society that had an association to Edgar Allan Poe. [6](There is also a Raven Society at the University of Virginia.) References in early yearbooks, and fraternity insignia that Ms. Fairstein cited gave rise to the use of "Ravens" or "Raven Society", though it is clear the Society rejects this as a formal name and deny Poe was a singular influence. ‎ Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American poet, short story writer, playwright, editor, literary critic, essayist and one of the leaders of the American Romantic Movement. ... The Raven as illustrated by Gustave Doré. The Raven is a narrative poem by American writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe. ... Linda Fairstein (born 1947) was head of the sex crime unit of the Manhattan District Attorneys office from 1976 until 2002 and prosecuted several highly publicized cases. ... The Raven Society is the University of Virginias oldest and most prestigious honorary society. ... The University of Virginia (also called U.Va. ...

Eucleian Raven

Two Society publications, The Medly and the Knickerbocker, became popular well beyond campus with New Yorkers in the mid 1800’s to through the 1920’s. Much of the writing was humorous and satirical, finding its fodder in the events and figures of both campus and city. It is not entirely clear which members took part in writing the articles for these literary collections since members of the Society had taken to use nom de plumes. Some of the listed and identifiable writers of the Knickerbocker went on to write for the new Harper's Magazine reducing the Knickerbocker to a magazine only of student interest until it ended publication.[7][8] Another circle of Washington Square writers originally associated with the Society (but expanded to non-members)took on the name Ravens in the 1930s to 1950s. [9] Image File history File links Raven_old. ... Image File history File links Raven_old. ... An issue of Harpers from 1905 November 2004 issue Harpers Magazine (or simply Harpers) is a monthly general-interest magazine covering literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts from a progressive, left perspective. ...

In the late 1930s and 1940s the Society became increasingly separate from the University despite having on-campus accommodations. Numbers in the organization dwindled in the 1940s as a result of World War II. Another cause for Eucleian’s lower profile seems to have been the perception of elitism by other NYU students. A quip in a yearbook of the era describes Eucleian as having membership that includes “John Quincy Adams, The Rockefellers, and that crowd”. (The organization did consist largely of the social "elite" of the time.) This alleged snobbery also became a theme of self effacing humor in the diminishing external publications of the Society in this era; the Society refers to itself, and presumably Andiron Club as "the reclusive old Establishment" in a 1930s NYU yearbook. This tongue-in-cheek reference had to do with the club not taking part as a unit in spirited student games, competitions and hazing of freshmen that occurred in the early fall at NYU.

By mid century on to 1980s, membership also came to encompass New York area students, faculty and literati with and without New York University affiliation.[10] It was at this time late Coleman O. Parsons, (a professor at Columbia and City College and graduate of Columbia and Yale) became the first head of the group with no NYU affiliation. Coleman O. Parsons, also Coleman Parsons, 1905-1991, was a scholar, author and professor of literature, last as Professor Emeritus of English at CUNYs City College. ...

Other non-specific cultural manifestations, outside of the serious work of self and societal benefit have been noted; in a 1965 Andiron Club correspondence a description of the Eucleian claims a "history of pranks in bad taste; formals in good taste and celebrations where taste is temporarily put aside."

Modern Era

The increased popularity of Greek letter fraternities in the 1950’s and the anti-establishment sentiment of the 1960’s (which was especially strong at NYU) diminished the Eucleian Society further. The Society widened its membership to all university schools (the Society had been primarily but never strictly an undergraduate organization). This was done possibly to buoy its prospects of survival. The practice had limited success, as attendance failed, affecting recruitment. Records (and lack thereof) seem to reveal years on end when there was no recruitment of new membership from student ranks during this era.

Eucleian and Philomathean joint meeting, Edgar Allan Poe as lecturer 1840s

Joint meetings had always occurred with the avowed rival Society, Philomathean. By the early 1900’s Philomathean had transformed itself into the Andiron Club which continued to profess a rivalry with the Eucleian Society, at least constitutionally. Despite this, the two organizations, removed from their once lofty and central positions in the NYU campus firmament, joined functions and crossed membership, as (increasingly public) membership lists attest to- eventually arriving at a level of synonymity. By mid century on to 1980s, membership also came to encompass students, faculty and literati with and without University affiliation.[11] Relaxed formality, ritual, etc. seems to have prevailed from the late 1960s onwards. NYU continued as the base of activity though membership was drawn from a wider community. During this era the Societies opened their doors to women membership. This continued through the time of the loss of the University Heights campus and the consolidation of New York University operations to Washington Square in the 1970’s. In the reduced circumstances (without university recognition or the continued benefit of the Ogden Butler Trust) activities continued at least through the 1980’s and 90’s, under the sponsorship of a faculty member in the English Department at NYU. (Records of Andiron Club) Image File history File links Eucleianphilo. ... Image File history File links Eucleianphilo. ... Washington Square is the name of some urban parks in the United States. ...

In the late 1980s and 1990s the remaining student membership of the organization attempted to revitalize its undergraduate operations as a senior society. During this time the organization functioned at various sites on campus, with the support of sympathetic faculty and for a time from rented rooms in the East Village. Secrecy seems to have been increased by design, in part because of differences with some alumni and faculty membership and partly to prevent what was seen as hostility towards independent student organizations from the University.

It is not clear what the Society engages in today due to its strict policy of privacy. It is referenced in various underground student organizations and journals.[12][13][14] In these limited statements or references the Society often appears critical of New York University administration, and various educational and social institutions . There are also allusions to its continued function as a literary, oration and debate society. Its historic documents also seem to describe what is a fraternal organization as well. Membership of the Society seems to be based on student (and faculty) achievements and activity in literature, oration, journalism, debate, (media and performing) arts, science, fraternity and sorority membership, athletics and government.

There is a recent upswing in curiosity and pursuit of membership in Societies similar to the Eucleian. Partially it is lore and media attention to Societies like Quill and Dagger, Skull and Bones, Seven Society, Skull and Dagger[15], The Machine, Sphinx (senior society), Philomathean at Penn, Order of Angell, St. Anthony Hall, DERU[16], et al. There are reasons beyond idle curiosity that attracts interests from students, viz. honing public speaking and debate skills in a supportive environment; a literary outlet; a venue to engage in varied topics of discussion; society with genuine fraternal values. It is possible that the Eucleian is benefitting from this new found curiosity and genuine, informed interest. This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Emblem of the Skull and Bones society The Order of Skull and Bones, once known as The Brotherhood of Death,[1] is a secret society based at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut, and is one of the oldest student secret societies in the United States. ... The Seven Society (founded circa 1905) is the most secretive of the University of Virginias secret societies. ... The Machine, the former Alpha Rho chapter of Theta Nu Epsilon at the University of Alabama, is a select coalition of traditionally-white fraternities and sororities which formed a secret society with enormous influence over campus, state, and southern politics. ... The Sphinx is distinguished as the oldest of eight senior societies at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. ... The Philomathean Society is the oldest student group at Penn, and is also the oldest continuously-existing literary society in the United States. ... The Order of Angell is a senior honor society at the University of Michigan. ... St. ...

Some Notable Members

Accessible lists of members of the Societies (Eucleian, Philomathean and Andiron) are traditionally limited, the criteria being whether members have passed or whether their names were published in the groups' public journals. All available lists reads as an impressive register of distinguished individuals in arts, literature, government, business, science and education. A sampling from available individuals yields these names among many other noted individuals.

Alfred Vail - Scientist, Businessman Alfred Lewis Vail (September 25, 1807 - January 18, 1859) was a machinist and inventor. ...

William Butler Ogden - Businessman William Butler Ogden (June 15, 1805 - August 3, 1877) was the first Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. ...

LeRoy Elwood Kimball - Educator

Ivy Ledbetter Lee - Businessman, Politician, Educator Ivy Ledbetter Lee (July 16, 1877 – November 9, 1934) is considered by some to be the founder of modern public relations, although the title could also be held by Edward Bernays. ...

Benjamin Franklin Butler -Businessman, Politician Benjamin Franklin Butler (1795–1858) was a U.S. lawyer. ...

Charles Butler - Businessman Charles Butler, (1802–1897) was an American lawyer and philanthropist. ...

Elihu Root - Businessman, Educator Elihu Root Elihu Root (February 15, 1845 – February 7, 1937) was an American lawyer and statesman, the son of Oren Root and Nancy Whitney Buttrick. ...

James M. Matthews - Religious Leader, Educator Rev. ...

Theodore Frelinghuysen - Educator, Politician Theodore Frelinghuysen (1787–1862) Theodore Frelinghuysen (March 28, 1787–April 12, 1862) was a American politician, serving as New Jerseys Attorney General, United States Senator, and Mayor of Newark, New Jersey before running as a candidate for Vice President with Henry Clay on the Whig ticket in the election...

William Weston Patton - Educator William W. Patton Rev. ...

Richard Grant White - Author, Educator Richard Grant White (1822 - 1885), shakespearian scholar, born in New York State, was long Chief of the Revenue Marine Bureau, and was one of the most acute students and critics of Shakespeare, of whose works he published two editions, the first in 1865, and the second (the Riverside) in 1883. ...

James Augustus Suydam - Artist, Businessman James Augustus Suydam (1819-1865) architect, lawyer and artist; as an artist was considered one of the premier Luminism painters. ...

Harry Woodburn Chase - Eduator, Business Leader President of the University of North Carolina (1919-1930), President of the University of Illinois (1930-1933), 8th President of New York University (1933-1951) see also: NYU University Archives, [1] ...

Albert Gallatin - Politician, Businessman Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin (January 29, 1761 – August 12, 1849) was a Swiss-American ethnologist, linguist, politician, diplomat, Congressman, and the longest-serving United States Secretary of the Treasury. ...

James Ford Rhodes - Historian James Ford Rhodes (1848–1927), was an American historian, born in Ohio City. ...

Jerome S. Coles - Scientist, Businessman

Elmer Holmes Bobst - Scientist, Businessman

William Cullen Bryant - Author, Educator William Cullen Bryant William Cullen Bryant (November 3, 1794 - June 12, 1878) an American Romantic poet, journalist, political adviser, and homeopath, was born in Cummington, Massachusetts, the second son of Peter Bryant, a doctor and later a state legislator, and Sarah Snell; the William Cullen Bryant Homestead, his boyhood home...

Anning Smith Prall - Politician PRALL, Anning Smith, a Representative from New York; born in Port Richmond, Staten Island, N.Y., September 17, 1870; attended the public schools and New York University; employed as a clerk in a New York City newspaper office; was in charge of a real estate department of a bank 1908...

Elijah Ward - Lawyer, Judge, Politician Ward was born in Sing Sing (now Ossining), N.Y., on September 16, 1816. ...

Arthur Vivian Watkins - Judge, Politician Arthur V. Watkins was born in Midway, Wasatch County, Utah, on December 18, 1886. ...

William H. Draper - Politician William Henry Draper born in 1801 who served as Premier of the Province of Canada from 1841 to 1842 and 1844 to 1847. ...

William H. Draper Jr. - Military Leader, Politician William Henry Draper born in 1801 who served as Premier of the Province of Canada from 1841 to 1842 and 1844 to 1847. ...

Edward Smith - Athlete, Businessman Ed Smith is a common name in the English language, and as such is the name of several prominent people Ed Smith is an English cricketer who has played for Cambridge University, Kent, and Middlesex teams. ...

Elmer Kenneth Strong - Athlete, Businessman Elmer Kenneth Strong (April 21, 1906 - October 5, 1979) was an outstanding college and professional American football player. ...

A. Oakley Hall - Politician, Lawyer A. Oakley Hall also A. Oakey Hall, (1826-1898), mayor of New York City from 1869-1872, was alleged to be part of the vilified Tweed Ring which started as a lunch group between some of Mayor Van Burens administration and immigrant political organizers. ...

James Edward Murray - Politician, Businessman credited to the United States Senate Historical Office James Edward Murray (May 3, 1876 - March 23, 1961) was a United States Senator from Montana, and a member of the Democratic Party. ...

Edward I. Edwards - Politician, Businessman Edward I. Edwards was Governor of New Jersey from 1920 to 1923; he was a member of the United States Democratic Party. ...

Howard Crosby - Educator, Religious Leader Howard Crosby (1826-1891), was an American preacher and teacher, great-grandson of Judge Joseph Crosby of Massachusetts and of Gen. ...

Ernest Howard Crosby - Politician, Educator, Religious Leader Cover of a 1902 New York publication of Captain Jinks, Hero, by Ernest Howard Crosby Ernest Howard Crosby (1856-1907) was an American reformer and author, born in New York City. ...

Lyman Abbott - Educator, Religious Leader, Politician Lyman Abbott Lyman Abbott (December 18, 1835 - October 22, 1922) was an American divine and author. ...

Samuel Tilden - Politician, Businessman, Lawyer Samuel Jones Tilden (February 9, 1814 - August 4, 1886) was the Democratic candidate for the US presidency in the disputed election of 1876, the most controversial American election of the 19th century. ...

Arthur Walsh -Politician Arthur Walsh Arthur Walsh (February 26, 1896-December 13, 1947) was a Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey from 1943 until 1944. ...

Harry Woodburn Chase- Educator President of the University of North Carolina (1919-1930), President of the University of Illinois (1930-1933), 8th President of New York University (1933-1951) see also: NYU University Archives, [1] ...

Charles Waldo Haskins - Businessman, Educator Charles Waldo Haskins born in 1852 into a leading American family (including uncle was Ralph Waldo Emerson). ...

Allan Langdon McDermott - Businessman McDERMOTT, Allan Langdon, a Representative from New Jersey; born in South Boston, Mass. ...

Charles Wilkes Christenberry - Military Leader, Educator

Avery Fisher - Inventor, Businessman Avery Fisher was an audio specialist who made numerous contributions to the field of sound. ...

Bliss Carman - Poet, Educator Bliss Carman , FRSC Bliss Carman, FRSC (April 15, 1861 - June 8, 1929) was a preeminent Canadian poet. ...

William Sage Woolworth, Jr. - Businessman, Author

Anthony Jerome Griffin - Politician Anthony Jerome Griffin, a Representative from New York; born in New York City April 1, 1866. ...

Romare Bearden - Author, Artist Romare Bearden, in his army uniform, a photograph taken by Carl Van Vechten, 1944 Romare Bearden, (September 2, 1911, in Charlotte, North Carolina—March 11, 1988 in New York, New York) was an African-American artist and writer. ...

James Lopez-Watson - Judge, Civil Rights Pioneer

Smith Ely Jr. - Politician Smith Ely, Jr. ...

John C. Sawhill - Politician, Educator Born in Cleveland, Sawhill graduated from Princeton Universitys Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in 1958. ...

James W. Tuttleton - Educator, Author Dr. James W. Tuttleton (Died November 1998) Former Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science and the Faculty of the English Department of New York University (NYU). ...

Henry Townley Heald- Educator, Business Leader Henry Townley Heald was president of the Illinois Institute of Technology from 1938-1952. ...

James Loomis Madden - Educator, Business Leader Parts of this article contradict each other. ...

John Thomas Madden - Educator, Business Leader John Thomas Madden A.M., C.P.A., Ph. ...

Robert F. Wagner - Politician Portrait of Robert F. Wagner in the U.S. Senate Reception Room Robert Ferdinand Wagner (8 June 1877–4 May 1953) was a Democratic United States Senator from New York from 1927 until 1949. ...

Mitchell Jenkins -Politician JENKINS, Mitchell, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Forty Fort, Luzerne County, Pa. ...

Royal Jenkins Davis - Author, Politician

W. B. Boyd-Carpenter - (International) Religious Leader, Author

Hugo C.M. Wendel - Historian, Author

Elmer Ellsworth Brown - Educator Elmer Ellsworth Brown (1861-1934) was an American educator. ...

William Henry Brown - Artist, Educator

Wilford Seymour Conrow - Artist, Educator

Richard Threlkeld Cox - Mathematician, Educator Richard Threlkeld Cox (1898 - May 2, 1991) was a professor of physics at Johns Hopkins University, known for Coxs theorem relating to the foundations of probability. ...

Henry Pratt Fairchild - Sociologist, Educator Henry P. Fairchild (1880-1956) was an American sociologist. ...

Dixon Ryan Fox - Sociologist, Educator Dixon Ryan Fox (born 1887, Potsdam, New York; died 1945) was an American educator, researcher, and president of Union College from 1934-45. ...

John William Draper - Scientist, Author John William Draper (5 May 1811, St Helens, Merseyside – 4 January 1882, Hastings, New York) was a U.S. (English-born) chemist, botanist, historian and photographer. ...

Henry Draper - Scientist, Educator Henry Draper (March 7, 1837 – November 20, 1882) was an American doctor and astronomer. ...

John Harvey Kellogg -Scientist John Harvey Kellogg (February 26, 1852 – December 14, 1943) was an American medical doctor in Battle Creek, Michigan who ran a sanitarium using holistic methods, with a particular focus on nutrition, enemas and exercise. ...

Steven Beckwith Ayers - Politician

Walter Reed -Scientist Major Walter Reed, M.D., (September 13, 1851 - November 23, 1902) was a U.S. Army physician who in 1900 led the team which confirmed the theory (first set forth in 1881 by Cuban doctor/scientist Carlos Finlay) that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes, rather than by direct contact. ...

Willard E. Atkins - Political Economist, Educator

Roswell Parkhurst Barnes -Educator, Religious Leader Reverend Roswell Parkhurst Barnes 1902-1969, was a significant theologian and Christian religious leader, advocate and author in the 20th century. ...

Tasker Lowndes Oddie - Politician Tasker Lowndes Oddie (October 20, 1870 - February 17, 1950) was a Governor of Nevada and a United States Senator. ...

Mark W. Everson Military Leader Mark W. Everson commissioner of the IRS Mark W. Everson (born September 10, 1954) is the current Commissioner of Internal Revenue, serving as head of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States. ...

John William Gilbert - Politician The Rt. ...

Robert Michael White - Politician Major-General Robert Michael White (born 1924) was a military aircraft test pilot and United States Air Force commander, who broke a number of records with the North American X-15 experimental aircraft during the 1960s, and was responsible for the design and development of several modern military aircraft. ...

Jack Peckett - Educator

Coral Lansbury - Author, Historian, Educator

Frederic Tuten - Author, Educator Frederic Tuten, from the back cover of Tintin in the New World Frederic Tuten is an American novelist whose works are characterized by a highly ingenious and lyrical prose style, which at times is reminiscent of a bygone era. ...

Coleman O. Parsons - Author, Educator Coleman O. Parsons, also Coleman Parsons, 1905-1991, was a scholar, author and professor of literature, last as Professor Emeritus of English at CUNYs City College. ...

Note on Societies

Said author and researcher Kevin Phillips, “People have wondered why these secret societies have been hotbeds of future success. Rather than competing with fraternities and student organizations, these ‘secret societies’ augment or leverage other organizations. What makes them unique and singularly successful is that they stress goal oriented vision among a limited and distinguished group. Often they assist each other, secretly, in gaining prominent campus positions as practice for what they want to do in the real world. As opposed to larger organizations they maintain the strength of their ties throughout their lives." There are several people called Kevin Phillips: Kevin Phillips, political commentator and writer Kevin Phillips, England and Southampton football player This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

External links

• Eucleians Speak
• Revealed! Conspiracies: Deadly Secret Societies
• They have corporate sponsorship.