membership to the brothers and the linonian society divided the students of yale college beginning in the turn of the 19th century. both held expansive literary collections, which they used to compete against each other. between 1780 and 1841, the brothers claimed right to more volumes than linonia, although these assertions are disputed the two societies' rivalry extended to their membership. brothers in unity claims membership of john c. calhoun, who was alphabetically assigned to linonia, but had "undiminished attachment" to the brothers. however, while publications released by both societies repeatedly assert superiority amongst each other, they also express positive sentiment; denoting each other as "ornaments" of yale and "generous rivals."