The Philolexian Society of Columbia University
Brander Matthews
First full-time professor of dramatic literature at any American university; co-founder of the Authors and Players clubs.
From Notable Alumni · Foundation editorial
First full-time professor of dramatic literature at any American university; co-founder of the Authors and Players clubs. Brander Matthews (CC 1871) persuaded the American university that the theater could be a subject for adults. As Columbia's first full-time professor of dramatic literature he turned forty books (on Molière, on Shakespeare-as-stagecraft, on the techniques of playwriting) into a small establishment, and along the way co-founded the Authors and Players clubs because writers and actors needed somewhere to drink that was not a hotel lobby. He also reviewed plays for the Times for thirty years, which, living and teaching that close to Broadway, was a separate and somewhat heroic achievement.
Vital
- Full name
- Brander Matthews
Columbia & the Society
- Columbia
- Class of 1871 (Columbia College)
Works (141)
- 1876 Venetian Glass: A Romance of Two Cities · The Aldine
- 1881 French Dramatists of the 19th Century · Criticism
- 1883 The home library
- 1886 Actors and Actresses of the United States and Great Britain, Vol. 1: 'Garrick and His Contemporaries' · New York: Cassell & Co., 1886
- 1886 Mugwump · Notes and Queries
- 1892 The Lament of the Ivory Paper-Cutter · The Knight Errant
- 1894 A Note on Recent Briticisms. · Modern Language Notes
- 1894 Studies of the Stage · New York: Harper & Bros., 1894
- 1895 Another Note on Recent Briticisms. · Modern Language Notes
- 1896 American literature · PsycEXTRA Dataset
- 1896 Aspects of Fiction · New York: Harper & Bros., 1896
- 1897 A Final Note on Recent Briticisms. · Modern Language Notes
- 1903 The Mediæval Drama · Modern Philology
- 1907 Inquiries and Opinions · New York: Scribner's, 1907
- 1910 A Study of the Drama · New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1910
- 1910 Moliere · New York: Scribner's, 1910
- 1910 Molière: His Life and His Works · Biography
- 1911 The President's Address · PMLA/Publications of the Modern Language Association of America
- 1913 Shakespere as a Playwright · New York: Scribner's, 1913
- 1914 On Acting · New York: Scribner's, 1914
- 1915 The Masterpieces of modern drama
- 1916 A Book About the Theater · New York: Scribner's, 1916
- 1916 A Catalogue of Models and of Stage Sets in the Dramatic Museum of Columbia University · New York: Columbia University Press, 1916
- 1916 Chief European Dramatists · New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1916
- 1916 Introduction · A Theory of the Theater
- 1916 Notes · A Theory of the Theater
- 1916 The American Playgoer and the American Playwright · The Art World
- 1917 Augustus Thomas on His Methods · The Art World
- 1917 Shaksperian Studies · The American Journal of Philology
- 1917 These Many Years · New York: Scribner's, 1917
- 1917 These many years, recollections of a New Yorker
- 1917 Three Theorists of the Theatre: Part I · The Art World
- 1918 The Drama behind Closed Doors · The Art World
- 1919 Syllabus on the history of American literature ...
- 1919 The Conventions of the Music-Drama · The Musical Quarterly
- 1919 The Principles of Playmaking · New York: Scribner's 1919
- 1921 Essays on English · New York: Scribner's, 1921
- 1921 The Englishing of French words
- 1921 Vignettes of Manhattan
- 1922 Commemorative tribute to Theodore Roosevelt
- 1922 The Principles Of Playmaking And Other Discussions Of The Drama
- 1922 The tocsin of revolt, and other essays
- 1923 Playwrights On Playmaking · New York: Scribner's, 1923
- 1924 The chief British dramatists, excluding Shakespeare
- 1925 La karaktero usana
- 1925 The Chief British Dramatists. · Modern Language Notes
- 1927 The Development of the Drama · New York: Scribner's, 1927
- 1931 The Bookshelf of Brander Matthews · New York: Columbia University Press, 1931
- 1967 Rip Van Winkle Goes To the Play · New York: Kennikat Press, 1967
- 1968 The Historical Novel · Freeport: Books for Libraries Press, 1968
- 1995 The Letters of Theodore Roosevelt and Brander Matthews · Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1995
- 1871 A Confident Tomorrow
- 1871 A family tree
- 1871 A gold mine
- 1871 A secret of the sea
- 1871 A secret of the sea, &c
- 1871 A secret of the sea, etc
- 1871 A study of versification
- 1871 A tale of twenty-five hours
- 1871 Actors and actresses of Great Britain and the United States
- 1871 Actors and actresses of Great Britain and the United States, from the days of David Garrick to the present time
- 1871 Actors and actresses of New York
- 1871 American character
- 1871 American drama
- 1871 American familiar verse, vers de société
- 1871 Americanisms and Briticisms
- 1871 Americanisms and Briticisms, with other essays on other isms
- 1871 Andrew Lang
- 1871 Aspects of fiction and other ventures in criticism
- 1871 Austin Dobson
- 1871 Ballads of books
- 1871 Bookbindings of the past
- 1871 Bookbindings of the present
- 1871 Bookbindings old & new of a booklover, with account of the Grolier club of New York
- 1871 Bookbindings old and new
- 1871 Books and play-books
- 1871 Books in paper covers
- 1871 Castle Rackrent, and The absentee
- 1871 Catalogue raisonée of Mr. Matthews's Gallery of Theatrical Portraits
- 1871 Cheap books and good books
- 1871 Comedies for amateur acting
- 1871 Commemorative tributes to Charles Francis Adams, Alfred Thayer Mahan
- 1871 Commercial bookbinding
- 1871 Counsel upon the reading of books
- 1871 Criticism and book-reviewing
- 1871 David Garrick and his contemporaries
- 1871 Deacon Brodie, or, The double life
- 1871 Edged tools
- 1871 Four American universities
- 1871 Frank Wylde
- 1871 Fugitives from justice
- 1871 Gateways to literature
- 1871 Gateways to literature, and other essays
- 1871 Great Plays
- 1871 His father's son
- 1871 In partnership
- 1871 In the vestibule limited
- 1871 Introduction to the study of American literature
- 1871 Kean and Booth and their contemporaries
- 1871 Lotos Leaves
- 1871 Macready and Forrest and their contemporaries
- 1871 Mark Twain, Thomas Hardy, Margaret Deland, William Dean Howells
- 1871 Notes on speech-making
- 1871 Pan and ink
- 1871 Parts of speech
- 1871 Pen and ink
- 1871 Poems of American partriotism
- 1871 Recreations of an anthologist
- 1871 Retrospections of the American stage
- 1871 Selected works
- 1871 Shaksperian stage traditions
- 1871 Simp lified Spelling Board circular
- 1871 Souvenir Couldock testimonial
- 1871 Spectral Tales
- 1871 Tales of Fantasy & Fact
- 1871 The action and the word
- 1871 The American of the future, and other essays
- 1871 The American on the stage
- 1871 The best ghost stories
- 1871 The decision of the court
- 1871 The dramatic essays of Charles Lamb
- 1871 The dramatist and the theater
- 1871 The Grolier Club
- 1871 The Kembles and their contemporaries
- 1871 The last meeting
- 1871 The life and art of Edwin Booth and his contemporaries
- 1871 The Oxford Book of American Essays
- 1871 The pictorial poster
- 1871 The Players
- 1871 The rhymester, or The rules of rhyme
- 1871 The royal marine
- 1871 The short-story
- 1871 The silent system
- 1871 The simplification of French spelling
- 1871 The spelling of yesterday and the spelling of tomorrow
- 1871 The story of a story
- 1871 The tally-ho!
- 1871 This picture and that
- 1871 Tom Paulding
- 1871 Washington Irving's Tales of a traveller
- 1871 With my friends
Primary sources
The Columbia Daily Spectator
1882-03-24 Philolexian. elected judge of essays
Philolexian. THE PRIZE CONTESTS. J 'HE last meeting of the Philolexian Society was one of the most enthusiastic and interesting that has been held this year. The question of debate: " Resolved, That the good accomplished by the crusades overbalanced the evil " was warmly contested, and the orations were listened to with great attention. During " Miscellaneous Business," the Judges of the prize contests were elected and are as follows : Judges of Debate : Prof. J. Howard Van Amringe, Prof. Archibald Alexander and Mr. George C. Kobbe, '74. Judges of Orations: Dr. John D. Quackenbos, Mr. W. Barclay Parsons, Jr., '79, and Mr. James Duane Livingston, 'BO. Judges of Essays : Prof. Archibald Alexander, Mr. Edgar Fawcett, 67, and Mr. J. Brander Matthews, '7l. The question for the Prize Debate was balloted for and resulted in the unanimous election of the subject: " Resolved , That the…
1882-04-21 The Philolex. Prizes. [ARTICLE] judge, Essay Prizes
The Philolex. Prizes. HTHE contest for the Oratorical Prize of the Philolexian Society was held at its rooms on Thursday evening, April 6th. As it was a special meeting the usual order of business was suspended, and the Society listened to the orations. The speakers were Messrs. J. B. Nies, 'B2; A. D. Henry, 'B4; W. K. Otis, 'B2; J. M. Wainwright, 'B4; and E. L. Ryder, 'B2. After the orations the judges, Messrs. W. Barclay Parsons, Jr., '79; J. Duane Livingston, '80; and Doctor John D. Quackenbos, announced that the first prize of $2O was awarded to Mr. Nies; the second, of $lO, to Mr. Ryder; and the third, of $5, to Mr. Henry. In announcing this decision Dr. Quackenbos complimented the Society on the work it is doing in promoting the practice of declamation, which is so sadly neglected at College. He also said that the debating society supplemented the collegiate curriculum, and that…
1883-04-27 Philolex. Prize Contests. judge
Philolex. Prize Contests. the evening of Thursday, April sth, the Prize Contest in Oratory took place in the Hall of the Philolexian Literary Society, at 64 Madison Avenue. The Judges were Messrs. Clarence R. Conger, '7l ; Sutherland Tenney, '73, and R. Maclay Bull, 'BO. The speakers of the evening were W. G. Elliot, 'B6, who delivered a clever, original address on "The True Theory of a University Education;" A. D. Henry, 'B4, whose rendering of one of Patrick Henry's famous speeches showed careful study and training ; J. V. Bouvier, Jr., 'B6, who recited an extract from Shakespeare; and H. L. Satterlee, 'B3, whose delivery of " Lord Stafford's Defence " showed an evident lack of preparation. The Judges gave the first prize of twenty dollars to Mr. Henry, the second prize of ten dollars to Mr. Satterlee, and did not award the third prize. The decision of Prof. T. R. Price, Prof. A.…
1893-10-09 The Revival of Philolex named as noted member of the society (historical)
The Revival of Philolex LUMNI and undergraduates will be pleased to learn of the rejuvenation of the Philolexian Society, the oldest literary association at Columbia. The apathy into which it had fallen during the past two years gave way last spring to a complete reorganization. The entire membership of the Hamilton Literary Society, a new and vigorous organization, was at that time absorbed and incorporated in the old association. New officers were elected as follows : President, A. C. Phillips; Vice-President, W. C. Rhoades ; Secretary, R. A. McCulloeh ; Treasurer, H. S. Emerson. The Philolexian is, therefore, at once the oldest and the newest literary society, combining with its own prestige and distinction the enthusiasm and energy of the younger association. The history and traditions of the Philolexian are connected with the names of some of Columbia's most noted sons, and its…
1901-03-08 Philolexian Prize Contest judge of the essay contest
Philolexian Prize Contest The announcement in regard to the Annual Philolexian Prize Contest has been made public. The contest has taken place since 1852, when $1,500 was eiven. the interest of which is offered in prizes. The money, which is intrusted to the care of Dean Van Amringe and J. T. Davies, yields an- nually $9O. This year the prizes will be awarded as follows: Essays—sls, lirst; $lO, second. Debates —$18, first; $l2, second. Orations —$20, first; $lO, second; $5, third. This competition is open to the undergraduate members of the society only. P. Dudley, Chairman of the Committee on Essays, has announced the following subjects for the essays: "Exploration in the Far North," "H. S. Longfellow's Life of H. W. Longfellow," "Abraham Lincoln as a Politician." The essays are due April 1, and Professor G. R. Carpenter, Professor Brander Matthews and E. A.…
1902-02-07 Philo Centennial. [ARTICLE] advisory committee member
Philo Centennial. A meeting of the Philolexian Centennial Celebration Committee was held Tuesday evening in the Library. Notes were read from the members of the Advisory Committee, and the date for holding the meeting was decided ;>n. Following the custom sanctioned by the constitution of the society adopted in 1820, the 17th of May was chosen. The celebration will consist of a reunion meeting and a dinner. The committee followed the advice of Mr. John B. Pine and President Butler in selecting Mr. William Dudley Foulke, Civil Service Commissioner at Washington, is the orator at the meeting. Mr. Pine will be asked to preside at this meeting, while Dean Van Amringe will be urged to act as toastmaster it the dinner. A history of the society is being written by E. A. Cardozo, Jr., and will be ready by the time of the celebration. To secure facts about the history of the society the…
1910-03-08 PLANS FOR CURTIS MEDALS Philo Meeting Tonight [ARTICLE] commented on hopes for Curtis Medal contest
PLANS FOR CURTIS MEDALS Philo Meeting Tonight Tonight's meeting will be the last regular Tuesday gathering of the Philolexian Society. The change made from Wednesday because of a conflict with the literature lectures, will now be revoked and the society will gather as formerly every Wednesday night at 8 p. m. *This evening important business will come up in connection with the plans for the coming Curtis Medal Contest, and for the dance to be given to the society's especially invited guests. A debate on the income tax will be held between members of the Philolexian Society. Elections will take place and new members may speak for admission. Professor Brander Matthews speaking to a Spectator representative yesterday said that he hoped the coming Curtis Medal contests would be the best for years. Every effort is being made by the English Department to draw a large crowd to the contest,…
1910-03-22 PHILO AND CURTIS MEDALS Plans Completed for Contest and Dance On April 1st—Program Arranged By Secretary Keppel patroness accepted invitation
PHILO AND CURTIS MEDALS Plans Completed for Contest and Dance On April 1st—Program Arranged By Secretary Keppel Philolexian Society's dance to be given on April ist, after the Curtis Medal Orations promises to be a great success. Over three hundred patroness invitations have been mailed, to which replies are rapidly coming in. Mrs. Nicholas Murray Butler, Mrs. Brander Matthews, Mrs. Harry Thurston Peck, Mrs. Raymond C. Knox, Mrs. David H. Greer and Mrs. Alfred Vanderbilt are among those who have accepted. The co-operation of the Glee Club and Philharmonic Society promises to make the occasion most notable in the annals of Columbia's oratorical contests. The committee in charge of arrangements, consisting of J. D. Sears 'lO, chairman; L. Fraser 'lO, D. R. Fox 'ix, and W. D. Heydecker 'n, are preparing programs of the speeches and musical numbers as well as dance orders; and…
1921-12-09 Prominent Sons of Columbia BRANDER MATTHEWS '71 profile subject, alumnus and professor
Prominent Sons of Columbia BRANDER MATTHEWS '71: Chancellor of American Academy of Arts and Letters, First Chairman of Simplified Spelling Board. Taking a leading part in the movement for simplified spelling, Professor Brander Matthews '7l has been called by the newspapers "the apostle of simplified spelling." He is at present one of the foremost American men of letters. Professor Matthews was born at New Orleans on February 21, 1852. He attended Columbia College, where he was a member of Philolexian Society and graduated from there with his A.B. degree in 1871. He received his LL.B. from Columbia in 1873 and in the following year received his A.M. degree. In 1873 Professor Matthews was admitted to the bar but soon turned to literature and from 1892 until 1900 he was professor of literature at Columbia. After 1900 he became professor of dramatic literature. He was one of the…
1895-02-28 The Joint Debate. [ARTICLE] judge of debate
The Joint Debate. '"THE annual joint debate between the Barnard Literary Association and the Philolexian Society will be held in room n of the Law School on Thursday evening, April 4. During the past fall and winter an attempt has been made to revive the literary spirit of Columbia; that the attempt was a success is shown by the vim and eclat with which the fall series of three debates went off. The Columbia Debating Union wishes to complete the year by making the coming debate as closely contested as possible. And that the debate will be closely contested seems to be reasonably certain; for Barnard, encouraged by her success in the joint debate last Spring and by her victories in two out of the three debates held during the Fall, will strive to maintain her present prestige, while Philolexian, by no means cast down by her recent defeats, will endeavor to turn the tables on her old…
1895-04-10 Joint Debate. judge of the debate
Joint Debate. HPHE annual joint-debate between the BarA liard Literary Association and the Philolexian Society was held in Room 11 of the Law School on Thursday, April 4, 8:30 P. M. The subject for debate was : Resolved —''That attempts of employers to ignore associations of workmen and to deal with individual workmen only, are prejudicial to the best interests of both parties." Barnard upheld the affirmative side of this question, her speakers being P. Mortimer Capen, '95; Frederick M. Cutler, '95, and William D. Street, '95. Philolexian's men: Edwin B. Woodruff, '96; Chas. F. Wheaton, '97, and Philip E. Brodt, '97, argued for the negative. All of the speakers acquitted themselves very creditably, showing that they had made a thorough study of their subject. President Low acted as presiding officer of the debate, and the judges were Prof. Mayo Smith, Prof. Brander Matthews, and…
1895-04-24 About College active member of society
About College The Arts members of the '97 Columbian Board were elected 011 the nth of this month. The representation is as follows: —A. W. Putnam, C. F. Wheaton, P. E. Brodt, E- C. Brown, and A. E. Marvin. The lectures under the auspices of the Photographical Society have been very successful, and of great advantage not only to its members, but also to all interested in the camera. The society have procured with some trouble a discount of 15 per cent, upon all photographic material at Scoville's. It has been said that there is a good prospect of the society obtaining a room at college from the Faculty next year. Owing to the inability of R. H. Bacon to act as toastmaster at the Junior Dinner, R. H. McCulloeh has been requested to take his position. C. B. Kilmer is down to respond to the toast "Athletics." The last reports, however, that have been rumored are that the dinner will…
1910-03-31 TWO JUDGES ANNOUNCED Philharmonic Will Play at Curtis Medal Contest Tomorrow Night commented on the interest in the contest
TWO JUDGES ANNOUNCED Philharmonic Will Play at Curtis Medal Contest Tomorrow Night— Free to Everyone Two of the three Judges of the Curtis Medal Oratorical Contest were announced by the Secretary last night, the Dean of the Law School, Professor Kirchwey and Professor J. B. Fletcher, head of the Department of Comparative Literature. The remaining Judge will be announced tomorrow. The Secretary also stated that he is getting out the program for the evening, one of the numbers of which will be "Musical Selections rendered by the Philharmonic Society." The President of Philolexian, Leon Fraser 'lO is to act as presiding officer. When seen by a Spectator reporter yesterday Professor Brander Matthews remarked, "I am glad to see the unusual interest that is being taken in the Oratorical contest this season. Publicspeaking is just as indispensable to the equipment of a gentleman as…
Samplings and Chronicles (Barzun, 1927)
Samplings and Chronicles (Barzun, 1927) Leaf / page 2
Named in Samplings and Chronicles (Barzun, 1927) at the referenced leaf.
Cardozo, History of the Philolexian Society (1902)
Cardozo, History of the Philolexian Society (1902) Leaf / page 5
Named in Cardozo, History of the Philolexian Society (1902) at the referenced leaf.
Cardozo, History of the Philolexian Society (1902) Leaf / page 5
Named in Cardozo, History of the Philolexian Society (1902) at the referenced leaf.
Maxwell, Catalogue of Columbia Graduates (1916)
Maxwell, Catalogue of Columbia Graduates (1916) Leaf / page 117
Named in Maxwell, Catalogue of Columbia Graduates (1916) at the referenced leaf.
Maxwell, Catalogue of Columbia Graduates (1916) Leaf / page 135
Named in Maxwell, Catalogue of Columbia Graduates (1916) at the referenced leaf.
Maxwell, Catalogue of Columbia Graduates (1916) Leaf / page 545
Named in Maxwell, Catalogue of Columbia Graduates (1916) at the referenced leaf.
Maxwell, Catalogue of Columbia Graduates (1916) Leaf / page 1000
Named in Maxwell, Catalogue of Columbia Graduates (1916) at the referenced leaf.
The Foundation's research archive
Philolexian Annals 1912, Roll of Members
J. Brander Matthews · Confidence: CERTAIN
External references
Community-maintained record
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