The Canadian Society for Eighteenth Century Studies ("CSECS") was created in 1970 by academics from the University of Toronto, York University, McMaster University and Carlton University. At its first general meeting, held in Toronto on March 19th, 1971, CSECS approved a constitution stating that the purpose of the society was to advance, within Canada, the study of the culture and history of the eighteenth century in Europe and the New World, to encourage research on a broad inter-disciplinary basis and to acquaint students of the eighteenth century with Canadian scholarship in that field. To advance these purposes CSECS, inter alia, held annual general meetings, organised academic conferences and published the proceedings thereof, and took part in academic conferences organised by other academic and scholarly societies. Its executive and membership held positions in academic institutions throughout Canada. It solicited and received grants from such public organisations as the Secretary of State of the Government of Canada, the Canada Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. It also solicited grants from a variety of private sector organisations.