Indianapolis Literary Club collection
Collection
Identifier: L695
Scope and Contents
This collection includes programs, rosters, and pamphlets from the Indianapolis Literary Club in Indianapolis, Indiana, ranging from 1917 to 1985, regarding the club and its members.
There are also rosters and encampment journals from the state Grand Army of the Republic (1928-1947); pamphlets containing speeches from various Indiana governors (1931-1947); and copies of a 1944 pamphlet encouraging Hoosiers to send their material to the Indiana War History Commission.
There are also rosters and encampment journals from the state Grand Army of the Republic (1928-1947); pamphlets containing speeches from various Indiana governors (1931-1947); and copies of a 1944 pamphlet encouraging Hoosiers to send their material to the Indiana War History Commission.
Dates
- 1917-1985
Creator
- Indianapolis Literary Club (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Literary rights, including copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their legal heirs and assigns. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts. The publisher must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Historical Note
The Indianapolis Literary Club was founded in 1877 by John D. Howland. He modeled the organization after similar clubs in Chicago and Cincinnatti, as well as the Indianapolis Women's Club, which was formed two years prior. Notable members included William Lowe Bryan and David Starr Jordan; authors Lew Wallace, Booth Tarkington, James Whitcomb Riley, and Jacob Piatt Dunn, Jr.; journalists Meredith Nicholson and Hilton U. Brown; and attorneys Benjamin Harrison, Alvin P. Hovey, Noble C. Butler, and Lucius Swift. Known for their annual dinners, the Literary Club was often noted in the newspapers for their criticism or "blackballing" of sitting governors.
Sources:
Meyer, Charles E. and David G. Vanderstel. "Indianapolis Literary Club." Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Last revised February 2021. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://indyencyclopedia.org/indianapolis-literary-club.
"Blackballing a Governor." Lafayette Weekly Call, May 1, 1897. Accessed May 28, 2026. Newspapers.com.
Sources:
Meyer, Charles E. and David G. Vanderstel. "Indianapolis Literary Club." Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Last revised February 2021. Accessed May 21, 2026. https://indyencyclopedia.org/indianapolis-literary-club.
"Blackballing a Governor." Lafayette Weekly Call, May 1, 1897. Accessed May 28, 2026. Newspapers.com.
Extent
0.8 Cubic Feet (2 manuscript boxes, 1 small manuscript box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject, then chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Tom Krasean in 2013/04.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2026/06/15 by Anita Brown. EAD finding aid created 2026/06/15 by Anita Brown. EAD finidng aid revised 2026/07/10 by Brittany Kropf.
- Brown, Hilton
- Budgets
- Butler, Noble Chase, 1844-1933
- Dunn, Jacob Piatt, 1855-1924
- Gates, Ralph F. (Ralph Fesler), 1893-1978
- Governors -- Indiana
- Governors -- United States -- Inaugural addresses
- Grand Army of the Republic. Department of Indiana
- Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901
- Hovey, Alvin P. (Alvin Peterson), 1821-1891
- Indiana -- Societies and clubs
- Indiana. General Assembly
- Indianapolis (Ind.) -- Societies and clubs
- Leslie, Harry G. (Harry Guyer), 1878-1937
- McNutt, Paul V. (Paul Vories), 1891-1955
- Meetings
- Membership
- Nicholson, Meredith, 1866-1947
- Pamphlets
- Programs
- Riley, James Whitcomb, 1849-1916
- Schricker, Henry F. (Henry Fredrick)
- Speeches, addresses, etc.
- Swift, Lucius B. (Lucius Burrie), 1844-1929
- Tarkington, Booth, 1869-1946
- Townsend, M. Clifford (Maurice Clifford), 1884-1954
- Wallace, Lew, 1827-1905
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Indiana
Creator
- Indianapolis Literary Club (Organization)
- Title
- Indianapolis Literary Club collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
