The National Literary Society of the Deaf was founded on February 6, 1907, in the Parish Hall of Trinity Episcopal Church, located on the northwest corner of Third and C Streets, N.W. in Washington, DC. Before that, there was some discussion of setting up a literary society by six men as following: John B. Hotchkiss, Rev. Herbert C. Merrill, Albert F. Adams, Rev. Arthur D. Bryant, Roy J. Stewart, and Gilbert O. Erickson. They formed a new name called the National Literary Society of the Deaf with its first 55 members who resided in the Washington, DC area. The number of Charter members was sixteen. Its object of the society was chiefly the general literary advancement and mental improvement of its members; also to promote the cultural and social life among the members.

The early history of the NLSD is rather sketchy; however, the early meetings were held once every month during the evening at the Masonic Temple building in Washington, DC from 1928-1953. Members of the faculty of Gallaudet College were invited to address the society. Sometimes college students gave talks on interesting subjects.

Over the years, the NLSD meet at various places in downtown Washington, DC until 1967, they were given a space for use at Gallaudet College. They continue to meet on the campus until the 1990s when they decided to meet off-campus. The NLSD had its banquets held off-campus, and many members attended.

For more information on the history of the NLSD, see Francis Higgins’ article on the history of the organization in which he wrote in 1982.