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Seven Society (College of William & Mary)

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This article is about a secret society at the College of William & Mary. For other uses, see Seven Society (disambiguation).
File:Sevenplaque.jpg
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. [1]

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Symbolism, historical references

Flowers, said to be left by the Sevens, occasionally adorn this sculpture of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, located in the Tyler Family Garden on the College's "Old Campus."[1]

In chartering the College of William and Mary, founding benefactors 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

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Bracken, Alexandra (01-10-2008). "Secret society donates Sadler plaque". University Relations. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b "The 7 Society" (PDF). The Flat Hat. 19-09-1939. p. 1. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Bonney, Mary (08-24-2009). "The college's most beloved ghosts, ghouls and secrets". The Flat Hat. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b "7" (PDF). The Flat Hat. 19-03-1940. p. 1. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b c "Secret Seven Announces Members for Past Year" (PDF). The Flat Hat. 18-03-1942. p. 1. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Secret Seven Reveals Current Graduates" (PDF). The Flat Hat. 12-01-1943. p. 1. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ a b Johnson, Chase (08-04-2008). "Peeking into closed societies". The Flat Hat. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Knappenberger, Jonna (07-06-2008). "What We Carry With Us". The DoG Street Journal. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b "Fund Grows" (PDF). The Flat Hat. 08-10-1926. p. 1. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Millfield, Becca (02-11-2004). "Shhh! The Secret Side of the College's Lesser Known Societies". The DoG Street Journal. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ a b c d "Historical Chronology of William and Mary: 1850-1899", {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ "College of William and Mary Royal Charter", Earl Gregg Swem Library Special Collections, 08-02-1693 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ a b "Statutes of the Visitors". Laws and Regulations of the College of William and Mary, in Virginia. 1830. pp. 3–11. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  14. ^ a b "Regulations of the Society". Laws and Regulations of the College of William and Mary, in Virginia. 1830. pp. 17–22. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  15. ^ a b "The Honor System". William and Mary College Quarterly Magazine. 14: 216. 1905. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  16. ^ "The Transfer to the Faculty in Virginia", Earl Gregg Swem Library Special Collections, 27-02-1729 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "Historical Chronology of William and Mary: 1700-1749", {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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