The Philomathean Society of the University of Pennsylvania is a collegiate literary society, the oldest student group at the university, and a claimant to the title of the oldest continuously-existing literary society in the United States, a claim disputed by Columbia University's Philolexian Society, which was established in 1802. Founded in 1813, its goal is "to promote the learning of its members and to increase the academic prestige of the University." Philomathean is derived from the Greek philomath, which means "a lover of learning." The motto of the Philomathean Society is Sic itur ad astra.
Philomathean Society Graduation Diploma For Isaac Norton Jr., 1858.
The Philomathean Society Meeting Room circa 1913.
The Philomathean Library, featuring books donated throughout the Society's two century existence
the Philo meeting room, where events and meetings are held on a weekly basis
College literary societies
College literary societies in American higher education are a particular kind of social organization, distinct from literary societies generally, and they were often the precursors of college fraternities and sororities. In the period from the late 18th century to the Civil War, collegiate literary societies were an important part of campus social life. These societies are often called Latin literary societies because they typically have compound Latinate names.
Demosthenian Hall at the University of Georgia, built in 1824
Members of the Miami University Erodelphian Literary Society, 1906.
Members of the Miami University Adelphic Association, 1913.
Members of the Arlington Training School's Jolly Junior Literary Society, circa 1913-1916