History of Brooks Quimby
Debating at Bates began soon after the founding of the College in 1855. Under the auspices of the student literary societies, debates addressed such important issues as "Is the profession of law better suited to the development of the intellect than is a career in the sacred ministry?" (Sophomore speaking prize debate, 1868). As at most colleges and universities, the literary societies provided a second curriculum, designed and directed by students, in which debate played a central role. By the turn of the century, all Bates sophomores were required to complete a year in the study of argumentation and debate under the tutelage of Professor William Foster, author of the leading textbook of the day and later the first president of Reed College.
Professor Foster and company put Bates into the history books of debate. The first known intercollegiate debate tournament was held in 1896, when Bates captured the championship of the newly-formed New England Debating League. In 1908, Bates and Queen's College, Canada held the first international collegiate debate. In 1921, Bates and Oxford University participated in the first intercontinental debate and in 1928, Bates debaters completed a world tour, becoming the first American debaters to visit Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The world tour debates attracted large and sometimes riotous audiences to hear Bates urge that other nations adopt the American experiment in prohibition. As the authors of the National Speech Communication Association's History of International Debate have observed, "to write the history of the early years of international debating is to write the history of Bates College debate."
Aside from its long history, Bates debate is remarkable for the program has long been open to all interested students. African American students attended Bates College from its opening and have been among its most illustrious graduates and debaters. John P. Davis '26, founder of the National Negro Congress, was president of the debate union and with partner Erwin Canham '26, later editor of the Christian Science Monitor, toured Britain. In his autobiography, Born to Rebel, civil rights leader Dr. Benjamin E. Mays '20, president of Morehouse College and mentor to Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote that "through competitive experience, I had finally dismissed from my mind for all time the myth" of white supremacy. By encouraging his participation in debate and other student activities, Mays wrote, Bates made it "possible for me to emancipate myself, to accept with dignity my own worth as a free man."
While allowing African Americans a voice, Bates was also among the earliest coeducational colleges and may have been the first to permit women to engage in "mixed" debates as well. Ella Knowles, Class of 1884, was the first woman to participate in public debates at Bates (the topic: "Does marriage make the man?"). Shortly after graduation, she employed her forensic skills in the Montana State Legislature, where she successfully overturned legal prohibitions and became Montana's first woman lawyer. By 1890, she was the state's assistant Attorney General, the highest office held by a woman in American politics.
Ahead of the game in social matters, Bates has also always been on the edge of competitive debate. Bates was the first American College to resume international debating after the Second World War and helped organize the National Debate Tournament system for domestic competition. Under coach Robert Branham, Bates was one of only six colleges and universities to qualify for the highly selective national policy debate tournament in every year from 1975 to 1991, when Bates began to participate exclusively in parliamentary competition.
Competitive excellence and commitment to international debate remain the hallmarks of the Bates debate program.Bates debaters annually flock to tournaments in Cambridge and Oxford, England and have recently toured several universities in Japan. Competing in the World Collegiate Debate Tournament, the team also sends individuals serious in debate to South Africa, the Philippines, Scotland, and Greece, among many other locations.
The experience of debating for Bates has been rewarding for all those who have served the team. From former U.S. Secretary of State Edmund Muskie '36 to the Academy Award winning documentary film maker and outspoken opponent of domestic violence, Stacey Kabat '85, many Bates debaters have moved from the discussion of public policy to lives of public service. We invite you to reach your potential and to be active in this fantastic, most prestigious, and historic organization.
