Victoria College (Cobourg, Ont.). Philalethic Society fonds

Administrative History

The Society was active from at least ca. 1839 to 1841 as a student society of Upper Canada Academy, and in 1842 of Victoria College. In vol 1 no 1 of Society's publication, "The Philomath." it gives the following summary of the Philalethic Society: "The Philalethic Society as the name clearly signifies, was established for the discovery and promotion of Truth. Its existence is not only antecedent to the Charter of Victoria College but its foundation may almost be said to have been laid with that of the noble edifice; and whilst U.C. Academy was struggling through the vale of obscurity to the attainment of a nobler name, and more conspicuous situation in the literary world; the operations of this first regularly organized literary club were felt and appreciated and known in the public account of the Institution."

The early minutes of the society shows that their primary function was to hold regular debates on various topics.