FRANCES E.W. HARPER LITERARY AND SOCIAL CIRCLE (SAVANNAH, GA.)
Frances E.W. Harper Literary and Social Circle (Savannah, Ga.) record book, 1915-1929

Restrictions on access

Unrestricted access.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

Source

Purchase, 2002.

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Frances E.W. Harper Literary and Social Circle (Savannah, Ga.) record book, Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Processing

Processed by Elizabeth Russey, July 17, 2004.

Historical Note

The Frances E.W. Harper Literary and Social Circle was founded around 1900 by a group of African American women living in Savannah, Georgia. The organization was named for Frances E.W. Harper, a poet that frequently lectured for the abolitionist cause prior to the Civil War and an author of the first published story by an African American. The women of the Frances E.W. Harper Literary and Social Circle, who met bimonthly, listened to lectures and music; read and discussed works of literature, especially those by African Americans; and occasionally went on outings outside Savannah. The circle had about twenty members, who each paid dues of five cents at every meeting, with appropriate fines for absences. In addition to paying for outings in this manner, they regularly gave a portion of the circle's dues to charities such as the Urban League and the local hospital.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of the record book of the Frances E.W. Harper Literary and Social Circle of Savannah, Georgia from 1915-1929. The record book contains the minutes for each meeting, recorded by the secretary of the organization; financial records concerning payment of dues and costs for outings; and occasional committee reports. Of particular interest are the reports of the Anniversary Committee, which contain the budget for the yearly occasion in detail. The outing was not held in 1928 due to a shortage of cash and the closing of the banks in Savannah.

The majority of the entries in the minute book are relatively brief, listing the activities of each meeting, including location, membership disputes, officer elections, and other business, but giving few details. The titles of the books the group read are rarely mentioned. The last entry in the record book is on October 4, 1929.