The collection of the Sphex Club, of Lynchburg, Virginia, includes minutes of meetings, the constitution and bylaws of the Club, a roster of its members, and a listing of Sphex papers presented by members and guests of the Club. In addition to this guide, the collection is outlined in more detail in “Sphex in the Jones Memorial Library,” Chapter VI of the Club history, The Sphex Club of Lynchburg, Virginia: The First One Hundred Years, 1910-2010, by James M. Elson.
Access Rights
Lectures delivered by members appear as papers in the Item Set. Papers are available in print at the library. Select papers have been digitized (including all papers delivered to the Club prior to 1952).
Authors retain copyright to their work. Papers may not be reproduced or reprinted without permission of the author and the library.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. Dr. Thomas Tiller's presentation, "Hearing Voices," examines the evolution and impact of race relations and equality movements in the United States, contextualized within the framework of America's three historical reconstructions. The paper discusses the recent resurgence in racial justice activism, its historical precedents, and the potential future implications for societal change and reforms in areas like policing and reparations. The title refers to the many messages about our civil rights deficits we have received and not attended to, and the author highlights the step-forward, step-backward nature of civil rights efforts in the US.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. Thomas C. Tiller's lecture outlines the complex history and contemporary challenges of nuclear weapons under eleven U.S. presidents. It covers the inception of nuclear arms during FDR's term, emphasizing the scientific breakthroughs and the ethical dilemmas faced by leaders, particularly Truman's decision to use atomic bombs on Japan. The narrative progresses through subsequent administrations, highlighting shifts towards deterrence, arms control efforts like SALT and START treaties, and the end of the Cold War. Tiller also discusses the modern nuclear threats from countries like North Korea and Iran, the proliferation risks, and the renewed global dialogue on nuclear disarmament, referencing significant contributions like the Wall Street Journal op-ed by Shultz, Perry, Kissinger, and Nunn advocating for a world free of nuclear weapons. The paper concludes by questioning the financial and moral costs of nuclear armament and echoing Eisenhower's call for a reevaluation of priorities towards peace and prosperity.
Julie Doyle's lecture at SPHEX on November 3, 2011, titled "Here Come the Kleagles," ventures into an unexplored segment of Notre Dame's history, revealing its unexpected intersection with the Ku Klux Klan's activities in the 1920s. Doyle unveils how Notre Dame, a symbol of Catholic education and values, became a battleground against the KKK's resurgence, highlighting a lesser-known chapter of the university's legacy. Through detailed recounting, she illuminates the courageous stand taken by Notre Dame students against the Klan's attempt to parade through South Bend, Indiana, thereby challenging and overcoming the Klan's message of hate and bigotry.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club on January 22, 2026. This SPHEX presentation examines the history, biology, production, and future potential of silk. Beginning with silk’s small role in global textiles compared with synthetic fibers, the speaker explains how silkworms, especially Bombyx mori, became uniquely domesticated for silk production. The talk describes the silkworm life cycle, cocoon harvesting, sericulture’s origins in ancient China, and the spread of silk technology along the Silk Road into Europe and the Americas. It also details the labor-intensive process of reeling and weaving silk and the modern automation led by China. The presentation then shifts to cutting-edge research involving silk protein fibroin, highlighting its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and applications in medicine, manufacturing, food preservation, sensors, adhesives, and vaccine delivery, including genetic engineering and synthetic biological production of silk proteins.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. Lewellys F. Barker's paper, Heredity and Environment from the Medical Viewpoint, presented on 4/7/1923, delves into the impact of heredity and environment on medical conditions, exploring the balance between genetic predispositions and external factors in disease development. Barker emphasizes the role of internal secretions in physical and mental development, and discusses the implications for medical treatment and societal health.
he paper titled "Hoaxes, Swindles and Cheats" explores various historical and modern deceptions, swindles, and hoaxes, examining their evolution and impact on society. The author discusses numerous cases, from the Cardiff Giant to the Piltdown Man, illustrating how these events often start as innocent pranks but can escalate into large-scale frauds or cultural phenomena. The discussion includes both humorous anecdotes and serious scams, highlighting the thin line between playful trickery and harmful deceit.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. Ellen G. Nygaard's presentation "Home Grown" traces the history of the Central Virginia Training Center (CVTC), originally the Virginia State Epileptic Colony, and its evolution through the 20th century. It outlines the institution's initial role in housing individuals with various deficits and its subsequent involvement in the American Eugenics movement, including involuntary sterilizations legitimized by the Supreme Court case Buck vs. Bell. Nygaard discusses the shift towards more humane and enlightened care for individuals with special needs, emphasizing the ongoing challenge of providing appropriate care in the 21st century.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. Ellen G. Nygaard's talk, "Home Sweet Home?", discussed global and U.S. refugee resettlement programs, emphasizing her experiences with the Lynchburg Catholic community's 2004 project aiding Bantu refugees from Somalia. Highlighting challenges like language barriers, cultural differences, and societal prejudice, Nygaard concluded with insights on overcoming personal biases and the importance of love and family. The paper underscores the complexities of refugee assimilation and the resilience of displaced individuals.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. Stephen C. Smith's presentation "How did we get here and when will they join us?" discusses the evolution and current state of Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically focusing on ChatGPT4 and its capabilities. He highlights the journey from classical AI systems to today's advanced models, emphasizing the overcoming of key barriers such as computational power, data availability, and algorithmic innovations. Smith also delves into the risks and potential misalignments associated with AI, as well as the optimism surrounding its beneficial applications for humanity.
Text of a lecture to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. The paper "How Did You Get Into This?" by Robert C. Wood III explores his journey into football officiating, influenced by coaches Vince Bradford, Jimmie Bryan, and Happy Lee. It recounts his experiences from youth football to officiating high school, college, and ACC games, emphasizing the mentorship, challenges, and personal growth involved in his officiating career.
James M. Elson's paper, presented to the Sphex Club, discusses Dr. Samuel Johnson's critical view of American liberty in the context of slavery. Elson juxtaposes Johnson's criticism with the paradoxical stances of American Founding Fathers like Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington on slavery. The paper also examines the evolution of curmudgeonry, highlighting notable figures and their societal critiques. Elson's narrative is interspersed with historical quotes and personal anecdotes, creating a reflective discourse on American ideals and hypocrisies.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. On March 20, 2025, Walker Sydnor delivered a critical exploration of wealth inequality in the United States, tracing the evolution of elite power from feudal land ownership to modern tech oligarchs. Citing historical and contemporary examples, Sydnor argued that unchecked wealth concentration endangers democracy and proposed that past responses to elite control may guide today’s reform efforts in pursuit of a fairer society.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club of Lynchburg. Arelia S. Langhorne's lecture, titled "I Can See Russia" dives into the political espionage novel "Pushing Brilliance" by Tim Tigner. The story involves Russian President Vladimir Korovin, a former KGB lieutenant, and a plot involving a brain-enhancing drug aimed at political manipulation. Langhorne parallels the novel's narrative with real-world political tensions and espionage, highlighting the intricate and often dangerous interplay of intelligence, power, and political ambitions. The lecture serves as an allegory for contemporary geopolitical dynamics, especially between the United States and Russia, emphasizing the constant need for vigilance in political leadership and international relations.
Thomas Ledford begins: “I grew up in New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina has destroyed my hometown.” Ledford explains the history of New Orleans and the characteristics of the Mississippi River. The population of New Orleans nearly doubled its habitable land after water was moved out of formerly swampy areas. But the swamp dirt dried and became lower than sea level. New Orleans successfully evacuated before Katrina struck. But the damage was major. Ledford makes recommendations for the future.
This academic paper, authored by John T. Cook, presents a detailed historical analysis centered on John Marshall's pivotal role in shaping the U.S. Supreme Court during the early 19th century. It covers Marshall's personal background, his involvement in key legal cases, his innovative judicial practices, and his overarching influence on American jurisprudence. The paper emphasizes Marshall's leadership in establishing the court's authority and its independence, particularly through landmark cases like Marbury v. Madison.
This often humorous paper, "I Was a Mole in the Moral Majority: Or How the Academy Theatre Got Saved" by James M. Elson, chronicles the history and revival of Lynchburg's Academy of Music Theatre. It details Lynchburg's cultural and economic development, the theatre's multiple restorations, and Elson's involvement with Liberty University and the Moral Majority. Key events include efforts to preserve the theatre, civic support, and challenges faced during renovations.
"I, Me, Mine" by Joel T. Keys delves into the evolving American character through the lens of "utilitarian individualism." Keys uses vignettes to illustrate a shift towards a societal focus where individual desires and conveniences outweigh communal responsibilities and ethics. He critiques this ethos as a departure from the founding values of America, highlighting its potential to lead to societal anarchy or despotism. Keys suggests radical societal and economic reforms to counteract this trend, including a universal national service program to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility among youth. The paper ultimately calls for a reevaluation of individualistic attitudes for the betterment of society.
The paper "IF I WERE KING" by George T. Stewart explores the universal human desire for power and prestige through the historical narrative of James Aloysius Harden-Hickey. Harden-Hickey declared himself King James I of the uninhabited island of Trinidad in 1893. His ambitions and eventual downfall are detailed, highlighting themes of status, ambition, and the often quixotic nature of personal aspirations.
Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. This paper, presented by Marc Schewel, delves into Ulysses S. Grant's venture into writing his memoirs as a means to address his financial ruin and provide for his family, despite his initial reluctance and battling throat cancer. Schewel highlights Grant's transformation through writing, supported notably by Mark Twain, and the eventual success of the memoirs, selling over 300,000 sets and significantly benefiting Grant's estate. The paper also touches on the historical and personal context of Grant's life, emphasizing the impact of his memoirs on both his legacy and American history.
This paper by George Snead recounts the development and impact of the SIGSALY secure voice communication system during WWII. It details Snead's personal journey in science and technology, emphasizing the importance of pluralistic support for R&D. The paper underscores the critical role of SIGSALY in military operations and reflects on current challenges in American science and technology.
Text of a lecture to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. Dr. Ken West’s presentation focuses on the "couple strengths" that lead to positive marriages and the "couple weaknesses" that frequently create unhappy marriages. West explains why quick marriages based on romantic feelings create a high risk. Robert Sternberg’s triangle theory is explored. People lacking one or more “sides” experience predictable problems. John Gottman’s theory of the mismatches that create perpetual problems in a marriage is examined. Also, the characteristics of “Consummate Love” that can last a lifetime are presented.
James M. Elson's paper, "If You Would Not Be Forgotten," presented to the Sphex Club on October 13, 2005, encourages individuals to consider how they will be remembered by posterity. Elson highlights the importance of writing autobiographies and preserving documents to ensure one's legacy. He discusses historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington, emphasizing the value of written records in preserving their legacies. Elson also provides practical advice on documenting personal and family histories for future generations.
