What is Whig-Clio?

Whig-Clio is Princeton’s political, literary, and debating society. It is the oldest collegiate literary and debating society in the United States, founded by students like James Madison and Aaron Burr. Whig-Clio hosts Senate Debates, events with prominent speakers, social events, and more.

The American Whig Party, known more commonly as Whig, is the left-leaning party of Whig-Clio, and the Cliosophic Party, or Clio, is right-leaning. Whig and Clio were closely tied but separate organizations until 1928 when they merged to become the American Whig-Cliosophic Society we know today.

How do I become a member?

To be considered a Member in Good Standing of the American Whig-Cliosophic Society, Princeton students must attend and sign into at least three Whig-Clio events. Active members of subsidiaries, including the International Relations Council, Princeton Debate Panel, Princeton Model Congress, and Princeton Mock Trial, may attend two events and be considered Members in Good Standing. 

Members in Good Standing can also declare themselves as members of Whig or Clio, depending on their political identity. To be a Member in Good Standing of either party, they must attend and sign into at least two party-specific events.

See more on our Membership page!

Contact Us!

Email whigcliosociety@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or concerns.

This organization is open to all Princeton University students interested in supporting our organization’s mission, regardless of identity, such as race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected characteristics.