A Gathering of Diverse Publications by This Early Self-Help Group for Women.

Chicago: Delphian Society, 1930-1940. The Delphian Society was inspired by influential Harvard President, Charles William Eliot's belief that education serves the purpose of inspiring lifelong learning and those who do not receive it [i.e. women] "seem to live in a mental vacuum." However, "Fifteen minutes a day of good reading would have given any one of this multitude a really human life." In response to his call for lifelong learning, the Delphian Society wrote, "To meet this condition, which prevails through the length and breadth of our land, to stimulate a deeper interest, quicken a latent appreciation and facilitate the use of brief periods of freedom for self-improvement, the Delphian Society was organized and the Delphian Course of Reading made possible." Their first major publication was in 1913 and it was called the Delphian Course of Reading: "A systematic plan of education, embracing the world's progress and development of the liberal arts." This ten volume course covers "history, literature, philosophy, poetry, fiction, drama, art, ethics, music." They really got going in the 20s and there were numerous chapters formed across America,. In 1928, the Delphian Society published several volumes of books containing an outline of human knowledge for the use of conversation. The majority of what is on offer is is comprised of these volumes. We have; Delphian Chapters; First Year through Sixth Year. Six oblong octavos. Well illustrated, many in color. Publisher's pictorial wrappers with black cloth spines (spine absent for the "Third Year"). Delphian Chapters; Stories and Romances [same format]. Delphian Chapters; Music and Poetry [same format]. Another set of Years One through Three of a different set of Delphian Chapters books. These are in the dame format but are all printed in green ink and bound in green wrappers with green cloth tape spine. Next comes "The Delphian Handbook". Octavo. Printed buff wrappers. It celebrates the Society's 20th anniversary and has about 30 pp. of chapter names and locations. Also included is "The Delphian Society Topical Outlines", an octavo in green cloth with gilt lettering. Issued in 1928 it covers, seemingly, all of world history and is profusely illustrated. Finally we have eight issues of "The Delphian Quarterly", the Society's periodical. It is comprised of 1930; January, April, July & October. January of 1931. July and October of 1935. January of 1936. A significant grouping that once belonged to a Jessica Disch, a member of the Spokane Chapter. She has penciled in her name and a few comments but all easily erasable.