The Machinery of Influence: Benevolent Societies and the Development of U.S. Public Relations in the 19th Century

Public relations histories have documented the communication practices of 19th-century U.S. reform societies, but research has largely focused on individual societies rather than the organizational and communication systems shared across societies. This study examines how national benevolent societies developed a common set of organizational structures and strategic communication practices during the early 1800s. Guided by resource mobilization theory and theories of public relations history, the study examines primary historical documents from eight societies using Calvin Colton’s six-part benevolent society system as an analytical framework. Findings reveal a shared operational template that enabled strategic communication, specialized communication roles, and knowledge sharing, positioning the voluntary sector as an important site in U.S. public relations development.