Phi Beta Kappa was founded on December 5th, 1776, at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was the first college society to have a Greek-letter name, and established some of the hallmarks of the many such academic and social organizations that would follow, including a symbol, mottos in Greek and Latin, a code of laws, and a formal initiation ceremony.

Notable members of Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa members are politically active, socially engaged, innovative, and curious. You can find successful Phi Beta Kappa members in all areas of life, including technology, science, literature, government, and beyond. Regardless of what has made them famous, all members of Phi Beta Kappa share a love of learning and a breadth of intellectual pursuits.

Notable members include:

• Six current and 36 former justices of the United States Supreme Court
• 17 former United States Presidents
• Notable authors Ta-Nahesi Coates, Amanda Gorman, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), and Viet Thanh Nguyen
• …and many other leaders and visionaries.