- Order of Heptasophs
-
The Order of Heptasophs was a fraternal organization established in New Orleans, Louisiana in April 1852. The name is derived from Greek roots meaning seven and wise and means the seven wise men. "the Order was founded at New Orleans, April 6, 1852, by Alexander leonard Saunders, a resident of that city, and prominent Freemason, among the earlier members being ex-governors, ex-mayors, et c."[1]
The classical list of Seven Wise Men were Thales of Miletus, Solon of Athens, Bias of Priene, Chilo of Sparta Pitticus of Mitylene, Cleobulus of Rhodes, and Epimenides of Crete.
It has been strongly suggested, but never demonstrated, that the society may have been founded by alumni of the Mystical Seven Society, or was in some other way connected to that organization.[2]
In 1878 the Improved Order of Heptasophs (IOH) split off in a dispute over offering members mutual aid program, (fraternal insurance policies). At the end of the 19th century the Order of Heptasophs had about 1,000 men, the Improved order, 4,000.[3]
References
- ^ Letter of George W. Wright, November 30, 1896, published in Stevens, Albert C. (1907). Cyclopedia of Fraternities: A Compilation of Existing Authentic Information and the Results of Original Investigation as to the Origin, Derivation, Founders, Development, Aims, Emblems, Character, and Personnel of More Than Six Hundred Secret Societies in the United States. E. B. Treat and Company. pp. 178.
- ^ Stevens, Albert C. (1907). Cyclopedia of Fraternities: A Compilation of Existing Authentic Information and the Results of Original Investigation as to the Origin, Derivation, Founders, Development, Aims, Emblems, Character, and Personnel of More Than Six Hundred Secret Societies in the United States. New York, New York: E. B. Treat and Company. pp. 178–179.
- ^ Stevens, Albert C. (1907). Cyclopedia of Fraternities: A Compilation of Existing Authentic Information and the Results of Original Investigation as to the Origin, Derivation, Founders, Development, Aims, Emblems, Character, and Personnel of More Than Six Hundred Secret Societies in the United States. New York, New York: E. B. Treat and Company. pp. 178–179.
- "Improved Order of Heptasophs". Phoenixmasonry, Inc.. http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/fraternalism/heptasophs.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
Categories: Fraternal service organizations
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
