The Cambridge History of English and American Literature in 18 Volumes (1907–21).
VOLUME XVI. Early National Literature, Part II; Later National Literature, Part I.
§ 5. The Monthly Anthology
The most important of the Boston magazines before 1815 was The Monthly Anthology. This was established in 1803 by one Phineas Adams, but after six months it passed into the control of The Anthology Club, founded by the Rev. William Emerson, which conducted it until it was abandoned in 1811. The Anthology Club included at various times from seven to sixteen Boston gentlemen of literary interests, and a few honorary non-resident members. Each member was expected to contribute to the magazine. Books were assigned for review, manuscripts were accepted or rejected, and the policy of the magazine was determined by vote at the weekly meetings of the Club. The Monthly Anthology is notable for the high quality of some of its articles, and as the best example of a magazine which was actually edited “by a society of gentlemen” purely for the love of literature. It should also be remembered as, in a way, the forerunner of The North American Review.