The Letters Club was formed in 1920 by Professor Thorlief Larsen for the purpose of encouraging "the study of English as a joy". The membership in the first year of the club was limited to 20 members, for convenience, of undergraduate students in the 3rd and 4th years. Meetings consisted of the reading of papers by the members on appointed subjects. For the first few years, contemporary English literature was the theme of discussion, novelists and dramatists being treated alternately. Papers were followed by general discussion "which strayed with delightful freedom over the pastures of literature." (Totem 1921) The occasional meeting was set aside for the presentation of original works of the members.