The Select Society facts for kids
The Select Society was a special club for smart people in Edinburgh, Scotland, way back in the 1700s. It started in 1754 as The St. Giles Society but quickly got its new name. Imagine a group of thinkers who loved to talk, discuss, and debate important ideas! This club was first a place for friendly chats, and then it became a serious debating club for the brightest minds in Edinburgh.
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What Was the Select Society?
The Select Society was a group where smart people met to talk about important ideas. They wanted to get better at thinking and speaking clearly. They also wanted to find the best ways to help their country. It was like a super-smart debate club for adults.
How Did the Society Start?
When the Select Society first began, it had fifteen founding members. These were some of the most famous thinkers and artists of their time. They included:
- James Adam
- John Adam
- James Burnett, Lord Monboddo
- George Drummond
- Adam Ferguson
- Francis Home
- Henry Home, Lord Kames
- David Hume
- John Monro
- Alexander Monro primus
- Allan Ramsay
- William Robertson
- Adam Smith
By the end of its first year, the club grew very fast! It had eighty-three members. Later, some of these members even started another club called The Poker Club.
What Was Their Goal?
In 1755, a magazine called The Scots Magazine explained what the society wanted to do. It said their goal was "to improve themselves in reasoning and eloquence." This means they wanted to get better at thinking logically and speaking well. They also wanted to use "freedom of debate" to find "the most effectual methods of promoting the good of the country." In simple words, they wanted to talk freely to find the best ways to help Scotland.
When Did They Meet?
The members of the Select Society met regularly. They would gather on Wednesday nights. Their meetings usually lasted for three hours, from 6 PM to 9 PM. They met for most of the year, from November 12th to August 12th.
How Could Someone Join?
Joining the Select Society was not easy. It was a very exclusive club.
Becoming a Member
To become a member, someone needed to be recommended. Two current members had to write a letter saying they thought the person would be a good fit. If more than one person wanted to join, the members would vote. The person with the most votes would then be considered at the next meeting. At that meeting, three-fourths of the members had to vote yes to confirm the new member. This made sure only the most respected people joined.
Other Important Societies
The Select Society was a very important club, but it wasn't the only one like it in Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh Society
In 1755, the Select Society helped create another important group. This new group was called the Edinburgh Society for Encouraging Arts, Sciences, Manufactures, and Agriculture in Scotland. This shows that the members were interested in helping Scotland grow in many different ways, from art to farming.
Similar Clubs in Edinburgh
Another club that was similar to the Select Society was The Speculative Society. It also played a role in helping people discuss and learn. Many members of the Select Society also joined other fun social clubs in Edinburgh, like The Poker Club. These clubs helped bring smart people together to share ideas and enjoy each other's company.
See also
