Secret Societies

The most well-known W&M secret society is the Bishop James Madison Society, which may or may not be associated with Yale’s Skull and Bones in some way. Founded in 1812, the group takes its name from the eighth president of William & Mary and a cousin of U.S. President James Madison.

There is evidence of a group called the Seven Society and another, all female, called the Alphas. There are whispers about the 13 Club, too.

These groups are never highly visible, of course, but they tend to make themselves known around Commencement. The Sevens sometimes post flyers in the spring recognizing people for “excellence.” (It is unclear if these people are newly initiated members.)

The Flat Hat Club was the first collegiate secret society in the United States. It was founded on November 11, 1750, faded away in the 1770s, was revived in the 1920s before fading away in 1943, and again being revived in 1972.

This secret society is devoted to "fraternitas, humanitas et cognito" of which Thomas Jefferson was a famous member. A spinoff, the F.H.C. Society, was revived in 1916 and exists to this day.

The Wren Society was founded in 1832 to honor the 200th birthday of Sir Christopher Wren, the presumed designer of the Wren Building. Membership is secret but is thought to include upperclassmen tapped for service, academics, and leadership. Its motto is “Veritas e Aequitas.”