Skull and Bones
Yale's most exclusive secret society — initiates have included three U.S. presidents, multiple CIA directors, and Supreme Court justices.
Overview
Skull and Bones is an undergraduate senior secret student society at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1832 by William Huntington Russell and Alphonso Taft, the society taps 15 senior students each year. Members are known as 'Bonesmen.' The society meets in a windowless Greek Revival building on campus known as 'The Tomb.' Notable members include U.S. Presidents William Howard Taft, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush; CIA officers; and Senators John Kerry and Prescott Bush.
Timeline
- 1832Founded by Russell and Taft (renamed from 'Eulogian Club').
- 1856The Tomb constructed at 64 High Street, New Haven.
- 1876Theft of skull from Tomb by rival group 'File and Claw' — pamphlet 'The Fall of Skull and Bones' published, revealing rituals.
- 2001Alexandra Robbins publishes 'Secrets of the Tomb' after interviews with 100+ Bonesmen.
Evidence on Record
- 011876 'File and Claw' pamphlet (Yale Library)
- 02Internal membership rolls (Russell Trust Association)
- 03Bonesmen testimonies recorded by Robbins (2001)
Theories & Disputes
Persistent claim that the society possesses Geronimo's skull, stolen by Prescott Bush in 1918. Geronimo's descendants sued the Russell Trust in 2009 (case dismissed on jurisdictional grounds).
Disproportionate representation in U.S. intelligence community.