About the Chapter: Historical Sketch

1905 to 1930

The yellowed paper still carries the ink of the October 14th entry in 1904, marking the first meeting of Austin's twelve charter members to establish a constitution at President Mather's home. From the early intimate meetings held at residences, and the dark smudged longhand of Secretary Primer, emanates an energetic pioneering spirit: discussions that "caused some merriment," the early member nominations in their slanted script, coded with markings, and the first record of the success of the new member banquet in 1908, to the personal credit and hospitality of Dr. Benedict.

What is perhaps most striking about these early minutes is the partnership of this individual enthusiasm with the organization's national prestige. One has only to scan quickly through the records to find a list of signatures that would represent a tour of the University's oldest and most important buildings and the legacies that their namesakes left to the Austin academic community.

In this spirit, on the 2nd of February, 1908, under the pointed arches of room 71, Phi Beta Kappa rose beyond its founding charter with 79 new members and the dedication to continuing to write Austin's personal history into the legacy of its Greek letters.