Society of Fellows

Christened The Association of Alumni of the American Academy in Rome or A.A.A.A.R., it was known colloquially as “the A’s in R.” At various times the organization has lain fallow but it has always regenerated itself, twice with a new name. In 1964 it became the Association of Fellows of the American Academy in Rome and in 1973 it became the Society of Fellows.

The A’s in R was centered in New York City, where members met formally and informally. Architecture Fellows maintained a standing lunch reservation at the Peg Woffington Coffee House on 44th Street. Artists gathered for dinner every Friday night at Keen’s Chop House, now Keen’s Steak House, on West 36th near 6th Avenue.

World War I almost resulted in the demise of the new organization, but it was reconstituted at a special meeting in New York where Lionel Moses was elected president, George W. Breck FAAR’99 and Paul Manship FAAR’12 vice presidents and Walter Kirby F secretary-treasurer.

The group instituted “The Alumni Newsletter,” first published in May 1918 to keep in touch with Fellows in the military. Edited by Frank Fairbanks FAAR’12, it consisted of four typewritten pages and was issued two to four times a month. Production cost was $7.40 including postage. LINK The light tone of these wartime newsletters contrasts with their content—farewells to those newly inducted, news from those at the front, and tales of monetary hardship and failing practices from those at home.

After the war the A’s in R began meeting at the Century Club in New York City. The membership was concerned with the predicament of newly returned Fellows, whose years abroad had resulted in the loss of professional connections, and resolved to foster them. In 1919 it was decided in consultation with Academy trustees that the mission would include the following agenda:

- Meet Fellows before they go to Rome.
- Watch them while in Rome.
- Meet them on their return.
- Offer free use of office, etc.
- Get jobs for architects, painters and sculptors through Trustees watching for same and recommending
- Assist returning Fellows obtain employment
- Keep in touch with teaching jobs.

It is uncertain exactly when Fellows of the School of Classical Studies, which had officially become part of the Academy in 1911, were first invited to join the association. A newsletter of March 15, 1921 states that new members included 16 archaeologists, three architects, two painters and two sculptors. Female scholars (all Fellows of the School of Fine Arts were male) were essentially token members because the Century Club did not admit women.

Meetings at the Century Club were merry affairs. Calling themselves “Sons of the Wolf,” the men regularly transported a nearly life-sized, hollow metal replica of Rome’s famous she-wolf from the Academy’s New York office to the club where they filled her with wine and drank from her teats.

A gap in archival holdings results in a leap forward to 1948, just after WWII. That September, President Dale Badgely FAAR’29 held a dinner to welcome those returning from Rome and to greet those going over.

In July 1959, President Olindo Grossi FAAR’36 circulated a newsletter to Fellows stating that the officers and council were earnestly attempting to revitalize the group. Innovations included the first-ever regional meetings, an annual meeting to coincide with the Philological & Archaeological meeting and the publication of a directory. Annual dues were $7.50. It was noted that the Wolf was in need of repair “you know where.” Sculptor Gifford Proctor FS’35 volunteered to mend her.

The club was less active in the 1960s and early 1970s, but was resurrected by Henry A. Millon FAAR’60, RAAR’66, who christened it the “Society of Fellows,” and Milton Lewine FAAR’61, RAAR’73, who became president in 1973. Lewine became ill, and after he died in 1979, the society again became inactive. At about the same time, and without knowing of the existence of the Millon/Lewine group, Virginia Bush Suttman FAAR’77 spearheaded an effort to establish a new group. Eventually, the two were united and under Suttman’s leadership evolved into the group that exists today. 

In the mid 1980s the group undertook the monumental task of publishing the Centennial Directory, a biographical encyclopedia of all Fellows and Residents of the American Academy in Rome, in honor of the 100th birthday of the Academy. Edited by Benjamin Kohl FAAR’71, and Academy staff Wayne Linker and Buff Suzanne Kavelman, it was published in 1995 by Italica Press.

The Society currently has about 900 members including archaeologists, architects, classicists, artists, designers, historians, preservationists, conservators, composers, writers, art historians, critics and curators. Many are leaders in their fields. All individuals who have been awarded the Rome Prize by the American Academy in Rome, hold fellowships from certain affiliated institutions, or serve as Residents become members at the completion of their time in Rome. A small pin in the shape of a rosette, designed by William Plumb FAAR’86, is presented to new members.