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of general integrity within the
Society, the Franklin Society was dissolved, its library of several hundred volumes was turned over to the College Library, and in 1847 its members were elected in equal proportions into the two older societies. Save a few references in the 19th century, the Franklin Society's presence and impact on the campus is unknown and undocumented.
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While little is known of their operations today, they maintain a website containing their seal and their motto: "Videte igitur ut probe integreque in emolumentum Dei et
Republicae et Universitatis." This translates to, "see, and consequently, you will conduct yourself properly and irreproachably into the benefits of God, the Republic, and the University."
156:, and is the oldest student secret society in the United States. Organized in 1824 as The Franklin Society, it was created in a year when such a large class entered Brown University that the two existing literary debating societies, the Philermenian Society and the United Brothers Society could not accommodate the new students. Notable personages such as
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each year. The motto that they adopted after their change is "Videte igitur ut probe integreque in emolumentum Dei et
Republicae et Universitatis." This translates into, "see, and consequently, you will conduct yourself properly and irreproachably into the benefits of God, the Republic, and the University."
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In recent years it has become evident that instead of being fully dissolved, the society instead changed its name to
Societas Domi Pacifica and became even more secretive. It exists today under this name, and continues to tap an unknown, though assumed to be 15, number of seniors to join the society
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The
Franklin Society coat of arms consisted of three golden key intersecting each other, with the Brown crest in the background. The Brown crest serves as a tribute to the University, while the three keys are distinctly Franklin symbols. The three keys, partially references to Benjamin Franklin's
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Records indicate that ten years after its establishment, in 1834, a select core of students in the
Franklin Society recognized that the quality of members had diminished due to competition with the other two literary societies and the new emergence and popularity of Fraternities. Recognizing a loss
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indicated that the society was dissolved some time in the 1840s. However, there is at least one reference that seems to indicate it is possible the society existed at least until the late 19th century: "It is believed to have been the first society organization in this city to institute a course of
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Further evidence of the continued existence of the
Franklin Society has emerged on Brown's campus with the activities of Societas Domi Pacificae, known as Pacifica House or SDP for short. Pacifica House claims to have been founded in 1824, and that it is directly related to the Franklin Society.
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The small bit that is known seems to indicate that the
Franklin Society was originally "devoted especially to the study of natural science and the mechanic arts," Further, that in 1887, the Franklin Society commissioned a "Report of the Committee on the geology of Rhode Island." These references
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It is not possible that this is the same seal that was used when the society was founded, as the Brown
University seal was that of the College of Rhode Island until 1844. However, it is possible that this seal was used from that point onward.
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Membership in the society is completely secretive. No one knows either the number of students selected or the names of these students. However, it is believed that the society taps 15 seniors to join the society each year.
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popular lectures for the public entertainment and instruction. Through its lectures it has introduced to the citizens some of the most noted scientists of the world."
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accepted honorary membership into the society during this time. The society was founded with the motto: Scientia
Potentia Est, meaning “Knowledge is Power.”
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Rhees, William Jones. (1859). Manual of public libraries, institutions and societies in the United States and British provinces of North America.
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seem to indicate a continued presence of the society beyond 1834, when it was believed to have been dissolved.
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electricity experiment involving a key and a kite, are said to represent Science, Reason and Action.
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The society changed their coat of arms, but the meaning behind the new symbols remains a mystery.
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Stockwell, Thomas B. (1876). "A History of Public Education in Rhode Island: From 1636 to 1876."
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The Franklin Society. (1883). Report of the Committee on the geology of Rhode Island.
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Mitchell, Martha. (1993). "Franklin Society." Encyclopedia Brunoniana.
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Mitchell, Martha. (1993). "Fraternities." Encyclopedia Brunoniana.
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