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Raven Society
Founded1904; 120 years ago (1904)
University of Virginia
TypeHonor
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
ScopeLocal
Chapters1
Members60 active
NicknameRavens
HeadquartersPO Box 400314
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904
United States
Websiteaig.alumni.virginia.edu/raven/

The Raven Society is an honor society at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was founded in 1904 by William McCully James who named it in honor of the poem by Edgar Allan Poe, who attended the University of Virginia in 1826.

History

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In 1904, University of Virginia student William McCully James proposed a new merit-based student society to promote literary and forensic work and to recognize outstanding scholarship.[1][2][3] Once the new society was approved, a faculty committee selected twelve students who demonstrated academic excellence; the twelve were invited to join the society and were sworn in on April 20, 1904.[2][4]

The twelve members met to adopt a constitution on April 27, 1904.[2] It stated that one of the Raven Society's main goals is "to bring together the best men in the various departments of the university for mutual acquaintance and for cooperation in their efforts to protect the honor and dignity of the university."[5] The initial twelve also chose additional members, bringing the number of charter members to 31 students and four faculty.[4] The founding members and their campus affiliations were:[3]

  • George E. Adams (medical school)
  • Rufus H. Barringer (engineering school)
  • Louis Baum (academic school)
  • R. P. Bell (college-at-large)
  • Donald McKay Blair (engineering school)
  • T. B. Bryan (academic school)
  • John D. Butzner (medical school)
  • F. N. Caliach (magazine medal)
  • Eugene Calloway (medical school)
  • W. W. Coxe (editor-in-chief)
  • Cary N. Davis (law school)
  • A. M. Dobie (law school)
  • W. A. Fleet (academic school)
  • John Flory (editor-in-chief)
  • J. K. Graves (law school)
  • W. S. Gray (medical school)
  • Richard Heath Dabney (faculty)
  • Ira Herst (medical school)
  • W. McC James (editor-in-chief)
  • E. S. J. McAllister (law school)
  • J. P. McConnell (graduate school)
  • Raleigh C. Minor (faculty)
  • James Morris Page (faculty)
  • J. H. Pollard (medical school)
  • G. B. Smedley (law school)
  • L. C. M. Smythe (academic school)
  • G. C. Tabb (law school)
  • Adrian S. Taylor (college-at-large)
  • Albert S. Tuttle (faculty)
  • J. I. Viney (academic school)
  • Frank Watkins (college-at-large)
  • J. W. Wayland (graduate school)
  • Roger B. Wood (debating team)

The members decided on the name Raven Society, in honor of the poem by Edgar Allan Poe, who attended the University of Virginia in 1826.[4][2] The society was originally considered a ribbon society because its members wore identifying ribbons.[1] Its second class of members was announced on June 1, 1905.[6] In November 1906, the society donated $10 ($339 in 2022 money) to a fund to create a statue of Poe in Richmond, Virginia; this was the first gift to the Poe Memorial Fund.[7]

Range room of Edgar Allan Poe at the University of Virginia

The Raven Society has been active in commemorating Poe's life, including helping to plan the celebration of his centenary in January 1909.[8][9] In February 1908, the university's Board of Visitors assigned the care at 13 West Range, Poe's room as a student, to the Raven Society.[10] The society used the room as its meeting place and also began work on restoring the room as a museum.[10][11] They also acquired a collection of Poe's works, to be kept in the room.[10] The Ravens served as room guides during the centenary.[12]

The society opened Poe's preserved room, which they had furnished with "a settee from the Allan home in Richmond" as well as "a real raven, stuffed, [which] looked down from a coign of the room."[13] In 1924, architecture professor Edmund S. Campbell helped the society restore the room.[2][14]

Raven Award with inscription - "The Raven Award, University of Virginia, Carrington Harrison, 1936"

In 1933, the society started its Raven Award program to recognize outstanding contributions of students and faculty.[11][15] The original award was in the form of a bust of Edgar Allan Poe, based on a larger bronze sculpture commissioned with artist Harold Cash and first shown at commencement in April 1933.[16][11] John Lloyd Newcomb, president University of Virginia, was the first recipient of the Raven Award.[17] Other notable recipients include Edward L. Ayers, Colgate Darden, Nicole Hurd, and John Strangfeld.[18]

The Raven Society also celebrated Poe's bicentenary in 2009 by laying three roses and drinking cognac in 13 West Range. In 2011, it received a grant from the UVa Alumni Association for the restoration of 13 West Range.[19]

Symbols and traditions

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The Raven Society's name came from "The Raven", a narrative poem by Edgar Allan Poe, who attended the University of Virginia in 1826.[4][2] The society's emblem is a black enamel raven mounted upon a gold-colored base.[5] Members are referred to as the Ravens.[10]

The society's Initiation takes place in 13 West Range, Poe's former room.[14] Members declaim of Poe's works and stanzas from "The Raven" as part of the initiation ceremony.[14][19] Initiates sign their name in a book using a quill.[14] When inducted, new members must write a parody of "The Raven".[2]

Activities

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Annually, the society presents Raven Fellowships to support undergraduate and graduate research projects.[1] The society recognizes service and contributions to the University of Virginia by honor students, faculty, administrators and alumni with its Raven Award.[5][15] The society is also responsible for the upkeep of Poe's student quarters on at 13 West Range at the University of Virginia.[20]

Membership

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The society recruits members when they are juniors, seniors, or first or second-year graduate students. Potential members must demonstrate academic distinction.[21] Initiation takes place at midnight.[14] Fewer than thirty students are initiated each year.[14]

Notable members

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Notable members of the Raven Society include:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Jacob, Katie (January 2004). "Looking back at years of Bananas, Ravens". Archived from the original on 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Wolcott, Dave (2004-03-11). "Raven Society Celebrates Centennial Anniversary". Archived from the original on 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  3. ^ a b c "The Raven Society Founded". The Daily Progress. Charlottesville, Virginia. 1904-05-23. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d Viccellio, Robert (Spring 2012). "Wrapped in Mystery: A guide to secret—and not-so-secret—student organizations at UVA". Virginia Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  5. ^ a b c "Constitution of the Raven Society of the University of Virginia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  6. ^ "Raven Society. Students Elected to Membership on their Scholastic Merits". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 1905-06-02. pp. 5, 5. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Wide Interest in Poe Monument". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 1906-11-24. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Fine Tribute to Edgar Allan Poe". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 1909-01-11. p. 8. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Raven Society Celebrates: Poe Anniversary is Appropriately Observed at University of Virginia" (PDF). New York Times. 1909-01-19. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
  10. ^ a b c d "To Honor Poe. Raven Society at University Cares for His Old Dormitory". The Portsmouth Star. Portsmouth, Virginia. 1908-02-20. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b c "Ravens to Honor Pupils, Teachers". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. 1933-01-25. p. 9. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Interest Intense in Poe Centenary". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 1909-01-16. p. 12. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Bruce, Philip Alexander (1922). History of the University of Virginia, 1819-1919: The Lengthening Shadow of One Man. Vol. V. Macmillan. pp. 357–8 – via Google Books.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Bellows, Sierra (Winter 2008). "The Caretaker of No. 13: Student fulfills charge of Raven Society". Virginia Magazine. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  15. ^ a b "The Raven Award - The Raven Society". University of Virginia. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  16. ^ "Raven Society Bust of Poe Ready for Memorial Exercises April 13". The Daily Progress. Charlottesville, Virginia. 1933-04-01. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "History of the Raven Society". Retrieved 2013-08-27.
  18. ^ Dabney, Virginius (1981). Mr. Jefferson's University: A History. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press. p. 418. ISBN 0-8139-0904-X
  19. ^ a b "Raven Society Plans Renovation". The Daily Progress. Charlottesville, Virginia. 2011-04-29. p. 5. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Alderman, Edwin A.; Joel Chandler Harris (1907). Library of Southern Literature. Martin and Hoyt. p. 4080. Retrieved 2008-01-03. raven society 13 west range.
  21. ^ Lin, Kevin (April 5, 2024). "School of Data Science Ph.D. Students and Faculty Member Named To Raven Society". School of Data Science. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  22. ^ "Charles G. Bell". Mississippi Writers and Musicians. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  23. ^ "Raven Society Initiation at the University of Virginia". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  24. ^ DiAntonio, Andy (2018-12-19). "L.D. Britt". National Health Law Program. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  25. ^ 108-1 Hearings: Confirmation Hearings on Federal Appointments, S. Hrg. 108-135, Part 3, April 30, May 7, May 22, June 25, and July 9, 2003, *. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 2004. p. 1025 – via Google Books.
  26. ^ "M. Caldwell Butler Papers | Washington and Lee University School of Law Research". Washington and Lee University School of Law Scholarly Commons. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  27. ^ Bugg, J. L. "Robert Y. Button (1899–1977)". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  28. ^ "In Memoriam: Mortimer Caplin '40, Public Servant and Professor Emeritus, Dies At 103 | Class Notes". UVA Lawyer. Fall 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  29. ^ "George Cochran Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information". Legacy.com. 2011-01-23. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  30. ^ Dabney, Virginius (1981). Mr. Jefferson's University: A History. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press. p. 557. ISBN 0-8139-0904-X
  31. ^ "Summary of Accomplishments: Bascom S. Deaver, Jr" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-06-06.
  32. ^ Manual of the Senate, General Assembly of Virginia 2020 - 2021 (PDF). General Assembly of Virginia. 2020. p. 83. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  33. ^ "The Honorable S. Bernard Goodwyn, Chief Justice Of The Supreme Court Of Virginia, To Deliver Keynote Address At Hampton University's Opening Convocation On Sunday, October 1". Hampton University Home. 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  34. ^ "Gregory Kossen". The Roanoke Times. 2019-07-01. p. C4. Retrieved 2024-10-08 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  35. ^ "Lapsley Walker Hamblen Jr". Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  36. ^ Dabney, Virginius (1981). Mr. Jefferson's University: A History. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press. p. 598. ISBN 0-8139-0904-X
  37. ^ "Charles Harrison Mann Jr". Virginia House History. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  38. ^ "Ernest Mead". The Daily Progress. 2014-02-16. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
  39. ^ "William Tayloe Murphy Jr". Virginia House History. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  40. ^ "Daniel French Slaughter Jr". Virginia House History. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  41. ^ "NJPAC Elects John Strangfeld as New Board Co-Chair". BusinessWire. June 14, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  42. ^ Bromley, Anne E. (2009-01-06). "Gilly Sullivan, Former U.Va. Alumni Association Director, Has Died". UVA Today. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  43. ^ Theroux, Alexander (2015-05-02). Collected Poems. Fantagraphics Books. p. 511. ISBN 978-1-60699-802-1. The Raven (A parody written as a requirement for election to the distinguished Raven Society at the University of Virginia, 1967).
  44. ^ a b "Thirty-Two Are to Join Raven Club". The Daily News Leader. Staunton, Virginia. 1934-05-18. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "Robert Whitehead". Virgnia House History. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  46. ^ "Retired Virginia Supreme Court Justice Henry H. Whiting". Virginia Lawyers Weekly. 2012-09-24. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  47. ^ "Raven Society Votes to Honor 2 Students". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 1935-05-12. p. 37. Retrieved 2024-08-30 – via Newspapers.com.
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