Collection REA - Reading Circle

The earliest mention of "Mr. Scott Durant's Reading Circle" is in the 27 September 1893 issue of the Polytechnic Magazine, when it mentions that they will be using the Cavendish Hall on Wednesday.

The Reading Circle covered authors such as Shakespeare and Thomas Carlyle, and its members presented papers on the themes and historical background of the works they were reading. There were also regular social activities and trips, including those organised by the Polytechnic Touring Association.

The last mention of the Reading Circle in the Polytechnic Magazine is in 1909. The 1932 obituary of Mr W Scott-Durrant in the Magazine states that "Few but the oldest of our members will remember Mr. Scott-Durrant, who organised and, with marked ability, presided over the 'Literary Society'. It was he who continued the course of Sunday afternoon lectures on 'Egypt' which were being given by our Founder, Mr. Ouintin Hogg, and which were left unfinished at his death."