Papers of the Bangor Dialectical Society

Scope and Content

Comprises: 

  • Minute books, 1897-1991
  • Account book of receipts and disbursements, 1897-1942
  • A short history of the Society, 1897-1939, compiled by Mr Ioan Y. Glynne and Dr Gilbert Wooding Robinson, 1939
  • Papers relating to the continued existence of the society, 1974
  • Menus for AGM dinners, 1909-1992
  • Lists of members, group photographs, notice of meetings, records of subscriptions and sporadically, of attendance.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Bangor Dialectical Society was formed on the 12th November 1897. Original members included Reverends E.P. Jones, S.R. Jenkins; Dr. E.O. Price, and Messrs. W. Turner and J. Clinton. Mr. H.J. Fox was appointed Secretary. Reverend Thomas Shankland, former librarian at the University College of North Wales, Bangor, is listed as a member, from 1915 to 1925. It was initially decided to limit membership to 30, which was later reduced in 1906 to 22 active members. The society met regularly, particularly during the winter months, usually at different places, often cafes, in the Bangor area. A variety of topics were discussed on a wide range of philosophical, literary, social, political and economic subjects, although the rules of 1939 declared that religious and political subjects are not to be discussed, except in special circumstances. These rules also state that the society did not look for publicity in the press or forward resolutions to the public authorities, but in 1921 an exception was made to send the society's congratulations to the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, on his successful settlement of the Irish question. Its annual dinner was held in May.

Arrangement

Records were received on different occasions, arranged according to type and incorporated into the General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts .

Access Information

Open to all users

Acquisition Information

Deposited by Mr G.R. Thomas, Assistant Registrar at the University of Wales, Bangor.

Note

Description compiled by Anne Lenaghan, February 2002.

Other Finding Aids

Item level word-processed list is available at the Archives Department of the University of Wales, Bangor. Reference numbers: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 25269, 29416-29440, 37641-37756, 37585

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright conditions apply. Reprographics are made at the discretion of the Archivist.

Related Material

Also held at the Archives Department of the University of Wales, Bangor is Minorities, a paper read before the Bangor Dialectical Society. Reference number: General Collection of Bangor Manuscripts: 16906. This is included in the records of Dr. Thomas Richards, former librarian at the University.

Bibliography

Ioan Y Glynne and Gilbert Wooding Robinson, The Bangor Dialectical Society, 1897-1939