The Raven Society is the University of Virginia's

University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...

 oldest honorary society. Founded in 1904 by University student William McCully James, and named in honor of the famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...

 (who attended The University in 1826).According to its constitution, one of the Raven Society's main goals is "to bring together the best men in the various departments of the University for mutual acquaintance and for cooperation in their efforts to protect the honor and dignity of the University." In addition to presenting annual Raven Fellowships, the society recognizes students, professors, administrators, and alumni for their "scholarly pursuits and their dedication to University ideals" with the Raven Award and is also responsible for the upkeep of Poe's living quarters, 13 West Range.

The Raven Society has been active in commemorating Poe's life, beginning with a celebration of his centenary in 1909. At this time, the Society first opened Poe's preserved room at 13 West Range

The Range

The Range is part of the original grounds of the University of Virginia as designed by Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. The Range buildings run parallel to and face away from the Lawn, and are separated from the Lawn by a series of ten gardens .There are six "hotels" on the...

, which they had furnished with "a settee from the Allan home in Richmond" as well as "a real raven, stuffed, [which] looked down from a coign of
the room." The Raven Society also celebrated Poe's bicentenary in 2009 by laying three roses and a drink of cognac in 13 West Range.

Notable members of the Raven Society have included founder and UVA Law professor Raleigh C. Minor, University president Frank Hereford

Frank Hereford (UVa)

Frank Loucks Hereford, Jr. was the president of the University of Virginia from 1974–1985. He died in 2004 at the age of 81...

, former Alumni Association directors J. Malcolm "Mack" Luck and Gilbert J. Sullivan

Gilbert J. Sullivan

Gilbert J. "Gilly" Sullivan was the longtime director of the University of Virginia Alumni Association for 35 years. Appointed to the position in 1958 after the retirement of J. Malcolm "Mack" Luck, Sullivan remained in the position until his retirement in 1993...

, University professor of physics Bascom S. Deaver

Bascom S. Deaver

Bascom Sine Deaver, Jr. is a physicist known for his research into superconductor applications, and is a professor and assistant chairman for undergraduate studies of the physics department at the University of Virginia...

, and UVA and Baltimore Colts

History of the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....

 football player Gary Cuozzo

Gary Cuozzo

Gary Samuel Cuozzo was a former professional American football player. An undrafted quarterback from the University of Virginia, Cuozzo played in 10 NFL seasons from 1963-1972. He began his NFL career on the Baltimore Colts as a backup to Johnny Unitas...

.

Raven Award recipients

• Harry Clemons, UVA librarian
• Bill Crutchfield, founder, Crutchfield Corporation
  Crutchfield
  Crutchfield Corporation is a consumer electronics company specializing in many consumer electronics items, including mobile audio and video equipment for the automobile and televisions, speakers, and other electronics for the home....
  
  
• Dr. Annette Gibbs
• Dr. Stewart D. Roberson
• Dean Patricia Lampkin
• John Lloyd Newcomb
  John Lloyd Newcomb
  John Lloyd Newcomb was an American educator. He served as the second president of the University of Virginia, ascending to the position after the death of Edwin Alderman...
  
  , UVA president
• Colgate Darden
  Colgate Darden
  Colgate Whitehead Darden, Jr. was a Democratic Congressman from Virginia , the 54th Governor of Virginia , Chancellor of the College of William and Mary and the third President of the University of Virginia...
  
  , UVA president
• Dr. Howard Kutchai, Dept of Physiology
• Dr. Nicole Hurd, Executive Director, National College Advising Corps
• Edward L. Ayers, former Arts & Sciences dean at UVA, now University of Richmond president
• William H. Fishback
• John Macfarlane, Tudor Investment Corporation
• David Webb, SFW Capital Partners, former Merrill Lynch Vice Chairman of Investment Banking
• Peter Kiernan, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Chairman/CEO, former Goldman Sachs partner