Records of The Bryson Club

The English department formed the Bryson Club in 1923 to encourage students in the creation of literature. The Bryson club’s name honored Chair of the English Department (1917-1922), Walter Buxton Bryson after his death. Prior to his tenure at TCU, Dr. Bryson taught English with academic distinction at Lincoln Memorial University and Harvard University. Mabel Major and Rebecca Smith Lee became the club’s first faculty advisors. In 1933, Lorraine Sherley took over as advisor, guiding the club for over 50 years until her death in 1984. In 1981, Ernest Allen became co-advisor, and donated the club’s records to TCU prior to his death in 2007. The club invited juniors and seniors with a 3.0 G.P.A or higher to join, and hosted bi-monthly meetings in which students submitted and read manuscripts, plays, poems, essays, or short stories. Beginning in 1935, the club extended invitations to upperclassmen other than English majors. In 1938, the club established a scholarship fund to assist qualified members. Under the leadership of John B. Collier, III in 1952, alumni formed the Bryson Exes who later funded the Walter E. Bryson Scholarship. The financial assistance offered to its members distinguished the club from other organizations. The Bryson club continues to exist in 2014 under the name Bryson Literary Society. The club crest was the Bryson Buxton shield. It bared a Horned Frog and three stars signifying social and physical health, scholarship, and leadership. The club colors were white, blue, and gold. The club’s motto was “Do it with thy might.”