The Order of The Red Friars
The Order of the Red Friars is a secret society established at Duke University in 1913. Alongside The Order of the White Duchy (the female version of the Friars), the members of the Order strived to create a bridge between the student body and the faculty. Their core focus was to develop a sense of fellowship.
History
The Red Friars were established in 1913. 
The Friars suspended its activities during World War II due to constant fluctuation in the student body that made it difficult to choose students who would be in attendance for a full school year. Friars' activities were suspended at the close of the 1942-1943 school year and an alumni committee formed to reestablish the order post-war. The Friars were restored with the graduating class of 1949.
Red Friars voluntarily disbanded in 1971, after failing to tap new members in 1970. Throughout the 1960s, the order increasingly faced charges of elitism and had difficulty selecting members who would accept membership. In 1971, after a meeting of Friar alumni, the order was discontinued as it was considered to have outlived its usefulness for the university and the student body. Some people associated with the Order of Red Friars include Rex Adams, Arthur Hollis Edens, Herbert J. Herring, Furman McLarty, Raymond Nasher, Richard M. Nixon, and William H. Wannamaker. Among their many contributions toward improving student life at Duke, the Red Friars commissioned a commemorative plaque in the center of the West Campus quadrangle that still stands today.
External links
- Duke University Archives, Inventory of the Order of Red Friars records, 1913-1971. 1
- Duke University Archives, Inventory of the Order of the White Duchy Records, 1925-1968. 2
- Drew Klein, "Building a Social Life," Duke University Chronicle (September 30, 1999). 3
- Ellen Mielke, "Secret Societies: Do They Still Haunt the Campus?" Duke University Chronicle (October 10, 2000). 4
- Emily Almas, "Behind the Hood," Duke University Towerview (December 1, 2004). 5