Anthology Club facts for kids

Joy's buildings on Congress St., Boston, where the Anthology Society had its Reading Room in 1807.

The Anthology Club, also known as the Anthology Society, was a group of writers and thinkers in Boston, Massachusetts. It was started in 1804 by the Rev. William Emerson, who was the father of the famous writer Ralph Waldo Emerson. The club was active for about seven years, from 1804 to 1811.

History of the Anthology Club

Monthly Anthology v.2, 1805, published by Munroe & Francis on Court Street.

The Anthology Club began because of a magazine called the Monthly Anthology. This magazine had trouble getting enough readers at first. A publishing company wanted the magazine to continue. They asked the Rev. William Emerson, a well-known clergyman with a love for literature, for help.

Starting the Club and Its Magazine

Because of Reverend Emerson's efforts, several talented people in Boston decided to work together. They formed a society to help run the magazine. The club officially started in 1805. Dr. John Sylvester John Gardiner became the President, and William Emerson was the Vice-President.

This club was very successful for about six years. During this time, they published ten large books of their magazine. These books are still seen as an important part of American literature from that time.

Important People in the Club

Some of the first members of the club included pastors like Samuel Cooper Thacher, Joseph Stevens Buckminster, and Joseph Tuckerman. Dr. John Sylvester John Gardiner, who was the head of Trinity Church, led the club as president for its entire existence. He also wrote for the magazine very often. Another important early member was William Tudor.

Later on, other notable people joined. These included Charles Stewart Dana, Alexander Hill Everett, and John Collins Warren. William Smith Shaw, who used to be the personal secretary for President John Adams, was also a member.

The Club's Legacy

The club's main publication was the Monthly Anthology and Boston Review. It was also called the Magazine of Polite Literature. Many important writers contributed to it. These included John Quincy Adams, who later became a U.S. President, and Daniel Webster, a famous statesman. Many other scholars also wrote for the magazine.

However, when Reverend Emerson passed away in 1811, the Anthology magazine stopped being published. A new magazine, the North American Review, started in 1815. It was guided by people from the old Anthology Club. Many people think of the North American Review as a continuation of the earlier magazine.

The famous Boston Athenæum, a large library and cultural center, also grew out of the Anthology Club.

Who Were the Members?

Many notable people were part of the Anthology Club during its time. Here is a list of some of its members: