The Indianapolis Literary Club was founded on January 10, 1877, by John D. Howland, who became the club’s president, Rev. William Alvin Bartlett, George H. Chapman, Charles Evans, William P. Fishback, and Johnathan W. Gordon. Soon a constitution was drawn and twelve more members joined.

Modeled after the Chicago and Cincinnati men’s literary clubs and the Indianapolis Woman’S Club (established 1875), the Indianapolis Literary Club’s stated purpose is “social, literary and aesthetic culture.” Its only requirements for membership, limited to 150 by invitation only, are intellectual curiosity and a willingness to serve periodically as the “essayist of the evening.” Special programs during the year include two “ladies’ nights” and the annual dinner.

Over the years, the club has met in various locations. Beginning initially in the homes of its members, the club later convened at the Denison Hotel, Plymouth Church, the Propylaeum, a chapter house of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Robertson Hall at Butler University, and Clowes Commons of Park Tudor School since the mid-1990s.

Many prominent men representing various professions have been members of the Literary Club, including educators 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. Artist members included T. C. Steele, William Forsyth, and Clifton Wheeler. The club owns a number of their paintings, which are on loan to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Columbia Club.

The club’s historical records, including copies of essays delivered by members, have been deposited at the Indiana Historical Society, which is digitizing the collection. Some of the papers are also located at the Indiana State Library and the Indianapolis Public Library. The club remains active.

The club’s historical records, including copies of essays delivered by members, have been deposited at the Indiana Historical Society, which is digitizing the collection. Some of the papers are also located at the Indiana State Library and the Indianapolis Public Library. The club remains active.

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