Secret Societies in College History: A Legacy of Influence and Intrigue
College secret societies, shrouded in mystery and tradition, have been a fixture of academic life for centuries. These exclusive organizations, often operating under a veil of secrecy, have attracted students seeking camaraderie, intellectual stimulation, and a sense of belonging. While their activities and influence have varied over time, secret societies have left an indelible mark on college campuses and beyond, shaping social dynamics, fostering networks of power, and sparking both admiration and suspicion. This article explores the history, evolution, and impact of secret societies in college history.
Early Origins and Literary Roots
The earliest forms of collegiate societies often emerged as literary organizations, providing students with a platform to engage in intellectual discourse, hone their writing skills, and cultivate a love of learning. One such example is the Philaletheis, a secret literary society that later evolved into a theatrical group. These societies fostered a sense of community among like-minded individuals, encouraging them to explore their intellectual passions and develop lifelong friendships.
In the mid-19th century, women's collegiate secret societies began to emerge across America, coinciding with evolving notions of female relationships and the rise of women's colleges. These societies aimed to cultivate lifelong friendships, foster passionate bonds among members, and create organized networks of women. Carroll Smith-Rosenberg's work on the female sphere of love and ritual sheds light on the context in which these societies arose, highlighting the intense emotional connections and supportive networks that characterized women's relationships during this era.
These founding organizations originally came together out of various women’s passion for consuming and producing literature. As members of these pioneering literary societies, the young women often wrote their own poems, songs, and contributions to their group’s official yearbook.
Transformation into Greek Letter Societies
As the trend of using Greek letters to represent each society gained popularity, many literary organizations transitioned into Greek letter societies, or what are commonly known today as fraternities and sororities. It is important to note that before the introduction of Greek letters and the term "sorority," many organizations commonly referred to themselves as secret societies and/or literary societies. Several of these organizations were founded as the trend of selecting Greek letters to represent each society was becoming more popular, so because of this, Greek letters have been included in parentheses for easier identification.
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These Greek letter societies often maintained a degree of secrecy, carefully guarding their rituals, traditions, and membership. They sought to create a sense of exclusivity and mystique, attracting students who desired a close-knit community and a shared identity.
The Rise of Senior Societies
As the collegiate secret society landscape evolved, senior societies emerged as prominent organizations, particularly at institutions like Yale University. These societies, typically composed of graduating seniors, aimed to recognize and reward students who had demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic achievement, or contributions to campus life.
Skull & Bones aroused competition on campus, bringing forth Scroll and Key (1841), and later Wolf's Head (1883), among students in the senior class. But the prestige of the senior societies was able to keep the very influential fraternities Alpha Delta Phi and Psi Upsilon from ever becoming full four-year institutions at Yale. They remained junior class societies there. There were sophomore and freshman societies at Yale as well.
Senior societies often provided a platform for networking and mentorship, connecting graduating students with alumni who had achieved success in various fields. These connections could prove invaluable as students embarked on their post-college careers.
Rituals, Traditions, and Secrecy
Secrecy is a paramount aspect of secret societies and long-standing institutions.
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Secret societies are characterized by a number of common traits, including:
- Ceremonial initiations
- Secret signs of recognition (gestures, handshakes, passwords)
- Formal secrets (the 'true' name of the society, a motto, or society history)
The veil of secrecy surrounding these organizations has fueled speculation and intrigue, leading to the emergence of numerous myths and legends.
At Yale, only seniors are admitted to secret societies, though that practice may differ at other colleges. As juniors, Yale students are scouted by current members to determine who will be tapped for the next secret society class.
Notable Secret Societies: A Glimpse into the Elite
Numerous secret societies have gained notoriety for their exclusivity, influence, and the prominent figures who have passed through their ranks. Here are a few notable examples:
- Skull and Bones (Yale University): Perhaps the most famous of all college secret societies, Skull and Bones has been shrouded in mystery since its founding in 1832. Its alumni include presidents, politicians, and business leaders, fueling speculation about its role in shaping American society. Previous alumni include such notables as George Bush senior, George W. Bush, and John Kerry. Established in 1832, the very secretive society has just 15 senior members at any one time, who they meet twice a week in their windowless private meeting room known as “The Tomb.” Each year 15 new members are chosen to join the select club, and it is rumored new members each receive $15,000 and a grandfather clock. Many legends surround the group, the most famous perhaps being that in 1918 a team of Bonesmen (allegedly including Prescott Bush, father of George H. W. Bush) stationed near Fort Sill, Oklahoma dug up the skull of Apache leader Geronimo (who died there in 1909 after years as a prisoner of war) and took it back to their HQ as a trophy.
- Seven Society (University of Virginia): The Seven Society of the University of Virginia is so secretive that very little is known about its history, activities, or membership. It was rumored to have been established around 1905, when eight students made plans to get together for two tables of bridge but only seven turned up. Members of the Seven Society are only revealed on their death; at one time, a wreath of black magnolias in the shape of a seven was always placed at their grave.
- The Bullingdon Club (Oxford University): One of the most notorious, riotous, and exclusive of the college secret societies in the United Kingdom is the Bullingdon Club of Oxford University, which was founded around 1780. Its members are selected from the aristocracy and the most prominent banking, business, and political families in Britain. Former members have gone on to form a network of individuals in the top seats of power. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, and current Prime Minister Boris Johnson have been dogged by a famous photo of them all dressed up in their bow-ties and tails for a group photo of Bullingdon Club members in 1987.
- Porcellian Club (Harvard University): This exclusive finals club was established in the 1790s and is named after the Latin for “pig,” since their first meeting included a hog roast. As with many of these elite college societies, only those from the “right” families can secure membership. Alumni include: President Theodore Roosevelt, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., yachtsman Harold Stirling Vanderbilt, polo player Thomas Hitchcock Jr. and the Winklevoss twins.
Generational Involvement and Lifelong Networks
One aspect of female friendship that Rosenberg clearly demonstrates is the intimate involvement that women had in each other's lives at the time. Involvement included each other's physical presence in a wide range of life milestones, such as times of great sickness, and the births of each other's children. Rosenberg specifically characterizes this trend as evidence of “supportive networks,” and explains the importance of these networks in these women's lives, “These supportive networks were institutionalized in social conventions or rituals which accompanied virtually every important event in a woman's life, from birth to death.” Similarly, there is evidence that lies within these collegiate societies that shows the sharing of intimate life milestones with her fellow sisters, society mothers, and alumni as examples of relying on these new support networks in times of increased need. For example, when these young society women became mothers it was not uncommon for them to bring their infants to meetings up until the time that their child learned to talk.
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Mothers and older female relatives would keep a careful eye on these young women and would remain a consistent source of aid and information. Appreciation of these mothers’ consistent involvement is also seen by evidence of chapters arranging parties and honorary events for their mothers, such as a “mothers tea” that was an annual tradition for the Delta chapter of ΓΦΒ. This system of apprenticeship can be seen in the aid provided by the mothers of the society as the young members planned to celebrate their fellow members' wedding.
Further documentation that continues to support the presence of generational involvement can be seen in evidence that shows the consistent participation of alumni in their organizations after graduation and corroborates the maintenance of a vast national network of women who continuously communicated with one another for decades. Further evidence that supports these lifelong social networks can also be seen through letters written by alumni members. Alumni would communicate with one another and with their own chapters for a variety of reasons. Some wanted to check in and reminisce on the golden days, others wanted to keep their friends informed about various developments in their lives, and some simply wanted to discuss society business.
By remaining so committed to this system over the course of their lives, there is further evidence to show that the relationships formed while in these collegiate societies remained as permanent installations into these women’s lives.
Criticism and Controversy
Despite their enduring presence, college secret societies have faced criticism and controversy over the years. Some have accused them of promoting elitism, exclusivity, and a lack of transparency. Others have raised concerns about their potential for perpetuating social inequalities and reinforcing existing power structures.
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion within secret societies. Many organizations have taken steps to diversify their membership and challenge historical biases. However, challenges remain in ensuring that these societies are truly representative of the diverse student populations they serve.
The Enduring Appeal of Secret Societies
Despite the criticisms and controversies, college secret societies continue to hold a certain allure for many students. They offer a sense of community, belonging, and tradition that can be particularly appealing in the often-anonymous environment of a large university.
Moreover, secret societies provide opportunities for leadership development, networking, and social engagement. They can serve as a platform for students to connect with like-minded individuals, develop their skills, and make a positive impact on their campus and community.
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