 The coat of arms of The Diagnostic Society of Edinburgh | |
| Formation | 1787 |
|---|---|
| Type | Student debating union |
| Headquarters | Edinburgh |
| Location | |
President | A. Grut and F. Tyson |
The Diagnostic Society of Edinburgh is a debating society in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Diagnostic Society was founded in 1816 and subsequently absorbed the Dialectic Society established in 1787 from which it takes its foundation date.[1] It claims to be the oldest society in Edinburgh and also the oldest debating society in Great Britain.[2] The Society traditionally meets on alternate Thursday evenings for public debates. Each meeting is lit by candlelight and attendees wear their individual National Dress or black tie.[3] Meetings consist of “the prosecution of literary and philosophical composition, criticism, and debate".[4]
Apart from its younger cousin, the Cambridge Union, the Diagnostics Society of Edinburgh is the only student society to have been granted an official coat of arms.
- ^ "History of the Dialectic Society". T. & A. Constable. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- ^ "The Diagnostic Society Website". diagnosticsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- ^ "Borrowed traditions for Britains new university". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
- ^ "The history of the Speculative society, 1764-1904". T. and A. Constable. Retrieved 3 December 2017.