LHMP #571 Ulph 2023 Building Castles in the Air

This interesting article traces the history of the Halifax Literary and Philosophical Society, other similar civic organizations, Lister’s participation in those organizations, and gender issues around membership and activity.

As the article doesn’t touch directly on sexuality, I won’t be summarizing it in detail. One of the more interesting aspects is how Lister’s quest for personal education as well as for civic influence led her to break through some silent barriers for women. She was the first woman elected to the Halifax Lit & Phil – the members concluding that there was no formal bar to women, though none had previously been admitted, and no other woman was admitted during her lifetime.

Most such organizations were exclusively male, either by rule or de facto, but women were beginning to make inroads, especially in newly-created societies. Some organizations created special membership categories available to women, so they could attend lectures and have access to libraries, while retaining administrative control to membership categories only available to men.

Lister saw her membership and her investment in civic resources as a legacy-building function, for herself and the Lister name, as well as supporting the cultural importance of Halifax in general. Attending cultural events that were open to members of all classes provided a context for socializing more casually with those outside her personal circles. For example, Lister used them when courting Miss Browne – someone she was reluctant to engage in social visiting with due to their class difference.