Founded in 1803, the Demosthenian Literary Society is a student run organization that focuses on the value of debate and intellectual discussion. Forced to meet in classrooms during their initial years, students and alumni raised money to fund the construction of Demosthenian Hall in 1824, giving the society a permanent home on campus. Describing this new addition to campus, the Athenian describes the hall as a “handsome Brick Building, with a beautiful hall…in a flourishing condition”(April 18, 1828). Advertising anniversary celebrations and debates in the local paper, the Demosthenian Society appears to have been very active in the college community, frequently engaging in debate with the Phi Kappa Society, a rival literary society on campus. In the years prior to the Civil War, however, the tone of these advertisements begins to change. Published in the Southern Watchman on July 12^th, 1860, a note is addressed to the “Gentlemen of the Demosthenian and Phi Kappa Societies,” emphasizing the importance of state pride and patriotism, calling on these young men to “struggle ever for her rights” and to “shed the last drop of your blood rejoicing, to defend her honor and protect her homes,” wishing them “a happy victory or else a glorious grave.” A particularly notable member of the Demosthenian Society was Robert Toombs, who would later become a founding member of the Confederacy, serving as Secretary of State under Jefferson Davis (Reed, 296). While the society’s website includes his name among those they consider notable members, there is no real acknowledgment concerning his role as a founding member of the Confederacy.

Resources:

Demosthenian Literary Society at The University of Georgia, “The Hall,” http://www.dlsuga.com/

Athens Historic Newspaper Archive, http://athnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/athnewspapers-j2k/search

Reed, Thomas Walter. History of The University of Georgia (unpublished typescript). 1946. http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/reed/

Located on the corner of Jackson and Baldwin Street, LeConte Hall was dedicated to scientist Joseph LeConte in 1905, four years after his death on a camping trip in Yosemite. A graduate of and professor at the University of Georgia, LeConte was an important figure in the scientific community at the time. Known to be controversial, LeConte was an early proponent of Darwin’s evolutionary theory, teaching the subject before it had been widely accepted. As noted in Thomas Walter Reed’s History of the University of Georgia, “his views on that subject were quite antagonistic to those of President Church…and the chief executive of the Georgia institution did not approve of such instruction”(Reed, 405). After his departure form the University of Georgia in 1856, Joseph LeConte worked at the University of South Carolina for a time, then later accompanied his brother “to California to take part in the establishment of the University of California”(Reed, 404). An accomplished scientist and an early pioneer in his academic field, LeConte Hall would serve as the first home of the University of Georgia’s biology department. As described in the local the paper The Banner, LeConte Hall was “one of the most up-to-date university buildings in the country”(June 32, 1905). Though currently home to the history department, LeConte Hall still maintains a connection to its namesake through a large portrait of Joseph LeConte in main foyer of the building.

Resources:

Stephens, Lester D. “LeConte Family.” New Georgia Encyclopedia. 15 September 2014. Web. 29 September 2016.

Railsback, Bruce, “Joseph LeConte, Third Professor of Geology at the University of Georgia from 1852 to 1856,” http://www.gly.uga.edu/railsback/UGAGeolHistLeConte.html

Reed, Thomas Walter. History of The University of Georgia (unpublished typescript). 1946. http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/reed/

Athens Historic Newspaper Archive, http://athnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/athnewspapers-j2k/search