Secret society

A secret society is a club or organization whose members do not disclose their membership, and may be sworn to hold it secret. The term is sometimes also used to describe fraternal organizations which may have secret ceremonies.

Secret societies are often the subject of much suspicion from non-members, and often feature in conspiracy theories. Some although not all secret societies may strive for secrecy for reasons of their illegal activity.

Table of contents

1 Secret societies:
2 Formerly secret or semi-secret societies:
3 Alleged secret societies:
4 Fictional secret societies:

Secret societies:

Many secret societies have been established on university campuses, including, most notably, Skull and Bones at Yale University and the Bishop James Madison Society at The College of William & Mary. The first collegiate secret society was the FHC Club (1750), followed by Phi Beta Kappa (1776), both founded at William & Mary. William & Mary's early exposure to secret societies allowed these types of organizations to flourish there. It now serves as host to at least five, including the 7 Society, the 13 Club, the Alpha Club, the FHC, and the Bishop James Madison Society.

Formerly secret or semi-secret societies:

AMORC: Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis
Bilderberg Group
Confraternity of the Rose Cross
Freemasonry (membership hasn't been strictly secret since the late 20th century)
FUDOFSI
FUDOSI
Klu Klux Klan
Order Militia Crucifera Evangelica
Phi Beta Kappa (began as a secret society, but eliminated secrecy in 1831)
Technocracy

Alleged secret societies:

Priory of Zion

Fictional secret societies:

Cabal, in the works of Robert A. Heinlein
S.P.E.C.T.R.E, in the works of Ian Fleming
Order of the Phoenix, in the works of J.K. Rowling

See also: Society