The Chamberlain Philosophical and Literary Society of Centre College was founded in 1828 and named in honor of the College’s first President, Rev. Jeremiah Chamberlain. The Society included such prominent names as James B. McCreary, J.C.S. Blackburn, Boyd Winchester, Robert C. Wickliffe, John M. Harlan, and others. It was extremely active in annual celebrations and oratorical contests, and annual exercises were held for graduating seniors. With the consolidation of Centre College and Central University in 1901, the society absorbed Central’s Phililethean Society. The Chamberlain Society died out around 1927 but then was revived around 1939 for only two years.