Nestled between the Academic Building and the Chapel in the University of Georgia's historic North Campus, Demosthenian Hall is home of the University's oldest literary society. Founded in 1803, the Demosthenian Literary Society chose Demosthenes as their patron saint, a philosopher who once said, "A vessel is known by the sound whether it be cracked or not; so men are proved, by their speech, whether they be wise or foolish." In 1824 Demosthenian Hall was constructed by Dr. James Tinsley to house the debating society. The building was completed in the federal style with walls over two feet thick. A decorative plasterwork ceiling medallion adds interest and beauty to Demosthenian's interior. In fact, this ceiling, composed of a ring of holly leaves framed in elegant metal wire, is one of the few examples of this type of ornamental artwork in existence, making it one of the University's most architechturally significant structures. Demosthenian Hall is the fourth oldest building at UGA and was therefore placed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1791. It is also on the National Survey of Historic Buildings.