The Lithuanian Scientific Society was a Lithuanian American society established by Jonas Šliūpas on 22 December 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland. It was one of the first non-religious organizations among Lithuanian Americans and promoted Lithuanian language and culture as well as the Lithuanian national consciousness. The society published books and two magazines – monthly Apšvieta and weekly Nauja gadynė. It was chaired by Jonas Šliūpas and Ignas Bubelis and was active until 1896. It was replaced by the Association of Lithuanian Patriots established by Tamošius Astramskas and active until at least 1970s.
Activities
In 1891–92, the society had about 100–120 members who paid membership fees of $1 per month. Due to complains that it was too high, the fee was later cut in half. LMD also had local chapters. The first chapter was organized by priest in Plymouth, PA in February 1891. Other chapters were located in Shenandoah, PA, Pittston, PA, Mahanoy Plane, PA, and Philadelphia – the coal mining towns were home of large populations of Lithuanian immigrants. In 1892, chapters were established in Marinette, WI, Mount Carmel, PA, Chicago. LMD organized various events – monthly meetings, lectures, protests against Russian Tsarist repressions in Lithuania in 1891 and 1894. LMD chapters also organized small local libraries of Lithuanians publications. The society held three congresses. One of the congresses was held on 24 November 1891 in Plymouth.
Publications
LMD published several Lithuanian books, two periodicals as well as two annual reports in 1891 and 1892. It also published and distributed postcards with the image ofGrand DukeVytautas. Since printing was cheaper in Germany, many publications were printed by Martynas Jankus in East Prussia. Its first two books were Lietuviškieji raštai ir raštininkai by Jonas Šliūpas and Apie senovės Lietuvos pilis by Jonas Basanavičius. Bestiality of the Russian Czardom toward Lithuania by Šliūpas and Burba was the second English-language booklet about Lithuania written by the immigrant community. Out of 5,000 copies, about 1,000 were sold immediately. The society published magazines Apšvieta and Nauja gadynė. Apšvieta was the first Lithuanian magazine devoted solely to culture and education. It was published monthly, but was not very popular due to Šliūpas' anti-religious and pro-socialist views. Nauja gadynė was published weekly and it was clearly a socialist publication that promoted proletarian internationalism instead of Lithuanian nationalism. The magazine published original and translated articles. Its official editor until August 1895 was Antanas Bacevičius, Šliūpas' brother-in-law, but if fact it was edited by Šliūpas.
