Beta Theta Pi
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THIS fraternity was founded at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, August 8, 1839. The idea was first suggested by John Reily Knox, '39. Closely associated with him were Samuel Taylor Marshall, '40, David Linton, '39; James George Smith, '40; Charles Henry Hardin, '40; John Holt Duncan, '40; Michael Clarkson Ryan, '40, and Thomas Boston Gordon, '41.
ΑΔΦ was then the only college society with a chapter so far west as Ohio. Its Miami chapter had been established in 1835, and was in good condition. The idea of organizing ΒΘΠ was doubtless suggested by that of the ΑΔΦ, and opposition to the latter was undoubtedly the chief cause which led to the formation of the new fraternity.
ΒΘΠ was the first of the fraternities which originated west of the Alleghanies. It is interesting, therefore, to see how far the society system had then developed. ΚΑ was at Union and Williams, where anti-secret local societies also existed. ΣΦ was at Union, Hamilton, Williams, and New York University. ΔΦ was at Union and Brown, and ΑΔΦ was at Hamilton, New York University and
