The College Historical Society was not founded by Edmund Burke. This idea became part of the creation myth of the Society, with future generations of members eager to trace a direct line to the great political theorist and statesman. The reality is that Edmund Burke was the driving force behind a different Club, a small gathering of students which met 35 times in 1747 before dwindling away at the end of the academic year. Nevertheless, it cast a long shadow and its legacy includes the College Historical Society. The records of the Club, in Burke's own hand, were carefully preserved and they helped inform and shape a new student society founded in College in 1770. Its ambitions, its rules, and its central belief in the potential of oratory to be a force for good was passed down to a new generation and directly influenced those who followed in its path.
In this collection of 24 essays by historian Patrick Geoghegan, the history of one of Dublin's longest-standing
and finest debating societies is chronicled. In 2020, The Hist will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its foundation with
a week of events on the theme of 'Oratory in the Service of Democracy'. The week of events will demonstrate how the
Hist contributes to the experiences of Trinity students, and to the political, intellectual and cultural life of our country. Included in this will be an exhibition in the Old Library of Hist manuscripts, treasures and portraits of figures associated with the Society.This significant collection of historical research is a timely tribute to the Trinity College institution and provides a foundation from which to strengthen the Society for the
future.
