Founding of Beta Theta Pi at Miami University

Background. Students at Miami University had previously formed two rival literary societies: The Erodelphian and Union Literary Society. In 1839, Old Miami reached its enrollment peak with 250 students from 13 states; only Harvard, Yale, and Dartmouth were larger.

Founding. A student named John Reily Knox gathered members from both the Erodelphian and Union Literary Societies to create a new fraternity. The group was formally founded on August 8, 1839, by eight male students of Miami University.

Legacy. Beta Theta Pi is recognized as the first fraternity formed at Miami University. The university is known as the "Mother of Fraternities" for the number of Greek-letter organizations founded on its campus, including Beta Theta Pi.