Forensic Burning

Wellesley College

Banner from the Class of 1917 Juniors challenging the Class of 1916 Sophomores to the Forensic Burning. Juniors were required to take a full year debate course, known as Forensics, which they loathed. Starting in the 1890s, they burned the paper that resulted from the course. Terms of the challenge include: the Forensic (paper) must be burned by the Junior class President or Vice President, must be burned on College grounds, and must be burned by fire. Juniors are successful if the Sophomores don't observe the burning of the paper.

Wellesley College Archives Image Gallery

Class of 1916

Class of 1917

Banners

Debates and debating

Tradition and Ritual

c. 1913-1917

Wellesley (Mass.)

Photographs

1 photographic print : b&w ; 2 x 3 in.

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