Seven Society (College of William & Mary): Difference between revisions
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{{about|the College of William & Mary Seven Society||Seven Society (disambiguation)}} |
{{about|the College of William & Mary Seven Society||Seven Society (disambiguation)}} |
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[[Image:Sevenplaque.jpg|thumb|250px|right|This 7 Society plaque hangs near the main entrance of the Sadler Center and honors retired Vice President for Student Affairs, W. Samuel Sadler ('64, M.Ed. '71), for his 41 years of service to the College. <ref name="ur1">{{cite news | author=Bracken, Alexandra | title=Secret society donates Sadler plaque | url=http://www.wm.edu/news/stories/2008/secret-society-donates-sadler-plaque-001.php | agency=University Relations | date=01-10-2008 }}</ref>]] The '''Seven Society, Order of the Crown & Dagger''' ( |
[[Image:Sevenplaque.jpg|thumb|250px|right|This 7 Society plaque hangs near the main entrance of the Sadler Center and honors retired Vice President for Student Affairs, W. Samuel Sadler ('64, M.Ed. '71), for his 41 years of service to the College. <ref name="ur1">{{cite news | author=Bracken, Alexandra | title=Secret society donates Sadler plaque | url=http://www.wm.edu/news/stories/2008/secret-society-donates-sadler-plaque-001.php | agency=University Relations | date=01-10-2008 }}</ref>]] The '''Seven Society, Order of the Crown & Dagger''' (colloquially known as the '''Seven '7' Society''' or '''Sevens''') is a [[Secret societies at the College of William & Mary|secret society]] at the [[College of William and Mary]] in [[Williamsburg, Virginia]].<ref name="fh2">{{cite news | title=The 7 Society | url=http://swem.wm.edu/beta/flathat/issues/fh19390919.pdf | agency=[[The Flat Hat]] | page= 1 | date=19-09-1939 }}</ref><ref name="secrets">{{cite news | author=Bonney, Mary | title=The college’s most beloved ghosts, ghouls and secrets | url=http://flathatnews.com/content/71145 | agency=[[The Flat Hat]] | date=08-24-2009 }}</ref> The clandestine, yet altruistic group is said to consist of seven senior men selected during their junior year.<ref name="fh3">{{cite news | title=7 | url=http://www.swem.wm.edu/beta/flathat/issues/fh19400319.pdf | agency=[[The Flat Hat]] | page= 1 | date=19-03-1940 }}</ref><ref name="fh4">{{cite news | title=Secret Seven Announces Members for Past Year | url=http://www.swem.wm.edu/beta/flathat/issues/fh19420318.pdf | agency=[[The Flat Hat]] | page= 1 | date=18-03-1942 }}</ref> Although, historically, graduating members revealed their identities each spring, today's membership is steeped in mystery and is only revealed upon a member's death.<ref name=fh3/><ref name=fh4/><ref name="fh5">{{cite news | title=Secret Seven Reveals Current Graduates | url=http://www.swem.wm.edu/beta/flathat/issues/fh19430112.pdf | agency=[[The Flat Hat]] | page= 1 | date=12-01-1943 }}</ref> |
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Now rumored to meet late at night in [[Colonial Williamsburg|Colonial Williamsburg's]] Shields Tavern, [http://www.history.org/visit/diningExperience/shields/index.cfm] Sevens are perhaps best known for their efforts to honor and encourage those who help strengthen the university.<ref name=ur1/><ref name=fh7/><ref name="dsj2">{{cite news | author=Knappenberger, Jonna | title=What We Carry With Us | url=http://www.dogstreetjournal.com/story/4159 | agency=[[The DoG Street Journal]] | date=07-06-2008 }}</ref> Through its endowment association, the society pursues major philanthropic causes such as scholarships and anonymous donations to the College.<ref name=ur1/><ref name="fh1">{{cite news | title=Fund Grows | url=http://www.swem.wm.edu/beta/flathat/issues/fh19261008.pdf | agency=[[The Flat Hat]] | page= 1 | date=08-10-1926 }}</ref> Sevens have also been known to mysteriously leave gifts for campus groups and individuals (e.g. in 2003, an Admissions Counselor discovered two dozen golf umbrellas – each adorning the society's symbol – after mentioning how helpful they would be during rainy campus tours).<ref name=ur1/><ref name="fh7">{{cite news | author=Johnson, Chase | title=Peeking into closed societies | url=http://www.flathatnews.com/content/peeking-closed-societies | agency=[[The Flat Hat]] | date=08-04-2008 }}</ref><ref name="dsj1">{{cite news | author=Millfield, Becca | title=Shhh! The Secret Side of the College’s Lesser Known Societies | url=http://www.dogstreetjournal.com/story/2049 | agency=[[The DoG Street Journal]] | date=02-11-2004 }}</ref> |
Now rumored to meet late at night in [[Colonial Williamsburg|Colonial Williamsburg's]] Shields Tavern, [http://www.history.org/visit/diningExperience/shields/index.cfm] Sevens are perhaps best known for their efforts to honor and encourage those who help strengthen the university.<ref name=ur1/><ref name=fh7/><ref name="dsj2">{{cite news | author=Knappenberger, Jonna | title=What We Carry With Us | url=http://www.dogstreetjournal.com/story/4159 | agency=[[The DoG Street Journal]] | date=07-06-2008 }}</ref> Through its endowment association, the society pursues major philanthropic causes such as scholarships and anonymous donations to the College.<ref name=ur1/><ref name="fh1">{{cite news | title=Fund Grows | url=http://www.swem.wm.edu/beta/flathat/issues/fh19261008.pdf | agency=[[The Flat Hat]] | page= 1 | date=08-10-1926 }}</ref> Sevens have also been known to mysteriously leave gifts for campus groups and individuals (e.g. in 2003, an Admissions Counselor discovered two dozen golf umbrellas – each adorning the society's symbol – after mentioning how helpful they would be during rainy campus tours).<ref name=ur1/><ref name="fh7">{{cite news | author=Johnson, Chase | title=Peeking into closed societies | url=http://www.flathatnews.com/content/peeking-closed-societies | agency=[[The Flat Hat]] | date=08-04-2008 }}</ref><ref name="dsj1">{{cite news | author=Millfield, Becca | title=Shhh! The Secret Side of the College’s Lesser Known Societies | url=http://www.dogstreetjournal.com/story/2049 | agency=[[The DoG Street Journal]] | date=02-11-2004 }}</ref> |
Revision as of 01:57, 16 November 2009
The Seven Society, Order of the Crown & Dagger (colloquially known as the Seven '7' Society or Sevens) is a secret society at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.[2][3] The clandestine, yet altruistic group is said to consist of seven senior men selected during their junior year.[4][5] Although, historically, graduating members revealed their identities each spring, today's membership is steeped in mystery and is only revealed upon a member's death.[4][5][6]
Now rumored to meet late at night in Colonial Williamsburg's Shields Tavern, [2] Sevens are perhaps best known for their efforts to honor and encourage those who help strengthen the university.[1][7][8] Through its endowment association, the society pursues major philanthropic causes such as scholarships and anonymous donations to the College.[1][9] Sevens have also been known to mysteriously leave gifts for campus groups and individuals (e.g. in 2003, an Admissions Counselor discovered two dozen golf umbrellas – each adorning the society's symbol – after mentioning how helpful they would be during rainy campus tours).[1][7][10]
History
The Seven Society is most commonly believed to have been founded in the year 1826.[1][5] Little else is known about the society's early history. The second half of the 19th century brought the American Civil War, two devastating campus fires, and the College's subsequent closing from 1881 to 1888. [11] By the beginning of the 20th century, however, the Sevens began to resurface.[9] And in 1939, the group publicly declared themselves to be “the only secret society of the College of William and Mary"[2] (other historic groups – such as the 13s, Alphas, and Flat Hats – were highly-selective social clubs that would later be revived as secret societies).
Symbolism, historical references
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Lyon_Gardiner_Tyler_bust.jpg/220px-Lyon_Gardiner_Tyler_bust.jpg)
In chartering the College of William and Mary, King William III and Queen Mary II of England sought to establish "a certain place of universal study" to be led by "one President, six Masters or Professors".[12] Together, these seven individuals would be known simply as the "Society."[13][14][15] In 1729, after the full installation of the College’s "departments" (a president and six professors), corporate authority of William and Mary was transferred from the College’s surviving trustees to the seven-member Society.[16][17] The group served as the governing body for the university – overseeing William and Mary’s day-to-day operations and addressing concerns and disputes as they arose.[13][14][15]
The most legendary of these societies was led by the College’s 17th president, Lyon Gardiner Tyler. [11] Still suffering from the Civil War, William and Mary was forced to close its doors in 1881. After being closed for seven years, the school was finally reopened in 1888 by President Tyler. By 1891, Tyler had assembled a small but highly distinguished teaching staff that included professors Hugh S. Bird, Charles E. Bishop, Van F. Garrett, J. Lesslie Hall, Thomas J. Stubbs and Lyman B. Wharton.[11] Affectionately dubbed the "Seven Wise Men" by students, Tyler and the six professors are credited with not only reviving William and Mary, but for also transforming the College into a thriving university.[11]
Notable 20th century members
- Lawrence W. l’Anson, Chief Justice, Virginia Supreme Court (1974–1981)
- Roy R. Charles, noted W&M benefactor and philanthropist [3]
- H. Westcott "Scotty" Cunningham, first president of Christopher Newport University
- Arthur "Art" Matsu, W&M's first Asian-American student (Class of 1928); first alumnus to play professional football
- Earl Gregg Swem, Jr., son of renowned W&M librarian, Earl Gregg Swem, Sr. [4]
See also
- I Am the College of William and Mary (poem)
- Secret societies at the College of William & Mary
- Collegiate secret societies in North America
References
- ^ a b c d e Bracken, Alexandra (01-10-2008). "Secret society donates Sadler plaque". University Relations.
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(help) - ^ a b "The 7 Society" (PDF). The Flat Hat. 19-09-1939. p. 1.
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(help) - ^ Bonney, Mary (08-24-2009). "The college's most beloved ghosts, ghouls and secrets". The Flat Hat.
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(help) - ^ a b "7" (PDF). The Flat Hat. 19-03-1940. p. 1.
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(help) - ^ a b c "Secret Seven Announces Members for Past Year" (PDF). The Flat Hat. 18-03-1942. p. 1.
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(help) - ^ "Secret Seven Reveals Current Graduates" (PDF). The Flat Hat. 12-01-1943. p. 1.
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(help) - ^ a b Johnson, Chase (08-04-2008). "Peeking into closed societies". The Flat Hat.
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(help) - ^ Knappenberger, Jonna (07-06-2008). "What We Carry With Us". The DoG Street Journal.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ a b "Fund Grows" (PDF). The Flat Hat. 08-10-1926. p. 1.
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(help) - ^ Millfield, Becca (02-11-2004). "Shhh! The Secret Side of the College's Lesser Known Societies". The DoG Street Journal.
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(help) - ^ a b c d "Historical Chronology of William and Mary: 1850-1899",
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(help) - ^ "College of William and Mary Royal Charter", Earl Gregg Swem Library Special Collections, 08-02-1693
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(help) - ^ a b "Statutes of the Visitors". Laws and Regulations of the College of William and Mary, in Virginia. 1830. pp. 3–11.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "Regulations of the Society". Laws and Regulations of the College of William and Mary, in Virginia. 1830. pp. 17–22.
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ignored (help) - ^ a b "The Honor System". William and Mary College Quarterly Magazine. 14: 216. 1905.
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ignored (help) - ^ "The Transfer to the Faculty in Virginia", Earl Gregg Swem Library Special Collections, 27-02-1729
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(help) - ^ "Historical Chronology of William and Mary: 1700-1749",
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