The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and
private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including
but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be
fully credited with the source.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Graham Philanthropic Society Records (RG 39.0001), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn
Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA.
The Graham Philanthropic Society was a literary and debating society founded on September 8, 1809 at Washington Academy (now
Washington and Lee University). Founding members were John D. Paxton, Edward C. Carrington, James W. Paxton, Gustavus A. Jones,
John P. Wilson, Randolph Ross, William C. Preston, Joseph S. Brown, and Uel Wilson. They often met in Graham Hall/Graham-Lee
Hall as well as other locations in the City of Lexington.
In addition to debates, the Society established its own library. Approximately 2000 volumes from this library went missing
during Hunter's Raid in 1863.
The name changed to the Graham-Lee Society around 1871. Membership declined greatly after World War I. The collection ranges
in date from 1809-1942.
This collection includes secretary's books, treasurer's book, librarian's book, treasurer's books, librarian's books, roll
books, and constitutions of the Graham Philanthropic Society. The secretary's books document the minutes of the meetings.
The first volume in the collection includes the creating documents when the Society was founded in 1809. The books include
accounts of debates on current political and social questions, financial information, membership information, and records
of student library use.
