Brothers in Unity

The Society of Brothers in Unity at Yale College was founded in 1768 by 21 members of the Yale classes of 1768, 1769, 1770, and 1771. The society was founded chiefly to reduce class separation among literary societies; at the time, Yale freshmen were not "received" into any society, and junior society members were forced into the servitude of seniors "under dread of the severest penalties"[7]

David Humphreys, a freshman of the class of 1771, persuaded two members of the senior class, three junior class members, two sophomores, and fourteen freshmen to support the establishment of a new society.[7] Its founding members were:[8]

Stanley was selected as the group's first president.[8]

However, the existing literary groups challenged the new society's unorthodox class composition. According to its 1841 catalog of members, Brothers in Unity only became an independent institution after surviving "an incessant war" waged by two or three traditional societies that did not support the concept of a four-year debating community. It is speculated that this struggle initiated the Brothers' century-long rivalry with the older Linonian Society, which previously did not include freshmen. Within a year, Brothers in Unity became fully independent, its popularity influencing other societies to reconsider their exclusion of first-year students. The Yale College freshman class of 1771 yielded fifteen members to Brothers in Unity, while Linonia accepted four; the first noted point in which underclassmen were publicly accepted into a Yale society.[7]

Between its founding and 1841, the society is said to have followed the template of other debating societies, although operating under "Masonic secrecy," according to 19th-century Yale historian Ebenezer Baldwin.[9] Baldwin wrote that the group, in conjunction with Linonia and the Calliopean Society, discussed scientific questions and gravitated towards literary pursuits. This is substantiated by the Brothers' public documentation, which says the society sought "lofty places in science, literature, and oratory" fields, as well as general "intellectual improvement."[7] It also produced plays, including contemporary British dramas and works by its members.[10]

By the beginning of the 19th century, most Yale College students joined either the Brothers or Linonia.[11] "While the official curriculum remained extraordinarily rigid, the student body built a rich extra-curriculum through the literary societies that allowed them to explore subjects that would normally have no place in the college," wrote Elizabeth James in 2015. "Research papers, debates, and literary exercises gave vitality to intellectual life within the college. The societies provided a place where student voices and opinions could be heard, and their questions or thoughts about the world around them interrogated by their classmates."[2] These societies helped pave Yale's way toward a broader European model of education.[2]

Both groups held expansive literary collections, which they used to compete against each other. Between 1780 and 1841, the Brothers claimed to own more volumes than Linonia, although these assertions are disputed.[7][9] Despite their rivalry, the two societies described each other as "ornaments" of Yale and "generous rivals."[12][13][7]When Yale built its first central library in 1846, Linonia and Brothers in Unity accepted the library's invitation to house their collections in the new building. For several decades, the collections were maintained separately, each with a librarian, staff, catalogs, and building entrance. However, the society declined during the Civil War and against the competition of newer secret societies such as Skull and Bones.[8] Linonia and Brothers proposed donating their collections to Yale in 1860, and this was finally done in 1872.[2][8][3] These donations are commemorated in the Linonia and Brothers Room of Yale's Sterling Memorial Library. The reading room contains the Linonia and Brothers (L&B) collection, a travel collection, a collection devoted to medieval history, and books recently added to Sterling’s collections.

Brothers in Unity disbanded after the library donation; various sources say this happened in 1871, 1872, or 1878.[2][3][4]

Brothers in Unity, December 2021

In 2021, 21 Yale undergraduates decided to revive the defunct society in a slightly different form.[8] While the original brothers had a relatively open admissions policy and a large membership, its new incarnation follows the model of Yale's restrictive and smaller senior secret societies.[9]

The new groups' emphasis is a passion for or professional history in public service, including the U.S Armed Forces,U.S Congress, the U.S Foreign Service, and U.S Intelligence Community.[5] Under exceptional circumstances, the Brothers will considered new members for their excellence in business leadership or entrepreneurship and business leadership.[14]

The society is funded by the 1768 Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity administered by alumni.[15]

Brothers in Unitedy lapel pin