History of Skull and Bones in Timeline

Skull and Bones is a secretive senior student society at Yale University, distinguished as the oldest of its kind at the institution. It has gained notoriety as a cultural icon, largely due to its influential alumni network and the various conspiracy theories surrounding its activities. The organization remains an intriguing and often debated aspect of Yale's history and culture.

1903: Second Wing of the Tomb Built

In 1903, the second wing of the Skull and Bones Hall, known as the "Tomb", was built.

1911: Re-use of the Davis towers

The re-use of the Davis towers in 1911 suggests Davis's role in the original building.

1912: Neo-Gothic Towers Added

In 1912, Davis-designed Neo-Gothic towers were added to the rear garden of the Skull and Bones Hall.

1938: First Jewish Player

In 1938, Star football players tapped for Skull and Bones included the first Jewish player (Al Hessberg, class of 1938).

1950: First African-American Player

In 1950, Star football players tapped for Skull and Bones included the first African-American player (Levi Jackson, class of 1950), although Jackson declined the tap, instead electing to join Berzelius.

1965: First Black Member Admitted

In 1965, Skull and Bones admitted its first black member in response to criticism for elitism and discrimination.

1968: Qualifications for Membership

Regarding the qualifications for membership, Lanny Davis wrote in the 1968 Yale yearbook about Skull and Bones' membership reputation.

1969: Yale Became Coeducational

In 1969, Yale became coeducational, leading some secret societies to transition to co-ed membership.

1971: Attempt to Tap Women for Membership

In 1971, the Bones class of 1971 attempted to tap women for membership, but alumni opposed it and quashed the attempt.

1974: Interest in Yale Senior Societies

In 1974, Brooks Mather Kelley suggested that the interest in Yale senior societies was because underclassmen shared society rituals while graduating seniors were removed from campus life.

1975: Gay Student Organization President Admitted

In 1975, Skull and Bones admitted the president of Yale's gay student organization as a member.

1985: Membership Rosters Provided

In 1985, Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt provided Antony C. Sutton with Skull and Bones membership rosters and records.

October 1991: Alumni Vote to Accept Women

In October 1991, a second alumni vote agreed to accept the Class of 1992, and the lawsuit blocking women's admission was dropped.

1992: Skull and Bones Admitted Women

In 1992, Skull and Bones remained fully male until this year when women were finally admitted.

1992: Class of 1992 Admitted

In 1992, after significant conflict, Skull and Bones admitted women to the Class of 1992.

1999: Discussion of the Tomb's Architect

In 1999, architectural historian Patrick Pinnell included an in-depth discussion of the dispute over the identity of the original architect of the Tomb in his Yale campus history.

2003: Publication of Membership Information

In 2003, Skull and Bones membership information was reformatted as an appendix in the book Fleshing out Skull and Bones.

2004: Both Presidential Nominees Were Bonesmen

In the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, both the Democratic and Republican nominees, John Kerry and George W. Bush, were members of Skull and Bones.

January 2010: Christie's Cancels Auction of Human Skull

In January 2010, Christie's canceled a planned auction for a human skull with links to Skull and Bones.

2016: Russell Trust Assets

According to its 2016 filing with the IRS, the Russell Trust Association, filing as RTA Incorporated, has assets of $3,906,458, including Deer Island and the Skull and Bones Hall.