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COLLECTION Identifier: HUD 3120

Records of Adelphoi Theologia and The Society for Religious Improvement

Overview

Adelphoi Theologia was founded on November 10, 1785 by six members of the Harvard College Class of 1786. As of November 4, 1835, the group changed its name to The Society for Religious Improvement. The records document the history and activities of this religious society.

Dates

  • Creation: 1785-1847

Creator

Conditions on Use and Access

The Records of Adelphoi Theologia and The Society for Religious Improvement are open for research.

Extent

0.5 cubic feet (9 containers)

The Records of Adelphoi Theologia and The Society for Religious Improvement document the history and activities of this religious society. Journals (minutes) kept by the society document weekly meetings and form the largest part of this collection. Other materials include catalogs of the society's library, constitutions, laws, and lists of members, and two letters.

History of Adelphoi Theologia and The Society for Religious Improvement

Adelphoi Theologia, which also identified itself in Greek as ΑΔΕΛΦΟΙ ΘΕΟΛΟΓΙΑ, was founded as a secret society on November 10, 1785 by six members of the Harvard College Class of 1786. The society met weekly on Sunday evenings for religious activities and discussion of a religious question. As of November 4, 1835, the group changed its name to The Society for Religious Improvement, and began publicizing its meetings. The last members were from the Class of 1847, and the last official meeting was held on June 23, 1847.

Online access

All of the records have been digitized and are available online. Links accompany detailed descriptions.

Related Material in the Harvard University Archives

  1. College Papers by George Moore (HUC 8832.356) includes two speeches delivered before the Society in 1832 and 1833.

Inventory update

This document last updated 2019 April 11.

Processing Information

The Records of Adelphoi Theologia and Society of Religious Improvement were first classified and described in the Harvard University Archives shelflist prior to 1980. In November 2007, Juliana Kuipers re-processed the material. Re-processing involved integrating and reorganizing the collection, re-housing materials in the appropriate containers, establishing a series hierarchy, and creating this inventory.

All of the call numbers were simplified.

Title
Adelphoi Theologia (Harvard University). Records of Adelphoi Theologia and The Society for Religious Improvement : an inventory
Author
Harvard University Archives
Language of description
und
EAD ID
hua05008

Repository Details

Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository

Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.

Contact:
Pusey Library
Harvard Yard
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2461