"Delta Tau Delta is an undergraduate Fraternity. It was founded by undergraduates, developed by undergraduates, operated and controlled by undergraduates from the beginning, and it still is."

The History of Delta Tau Delta is in many ways the history of Greek letter societies in North America. Our past is proud and colorful, a legacy that calls present day Delts to emulate the leadership for which our Fraternity is known.

It was the Spring of 1858, on the campus of Bethany College located in what is now West Virginia, when eight undergraduate men gathered and formed the ideals of Delta Tau Delta. At this time, college life was not filled with the means of social opportunity that exist today. Universities across the country combined produced a mere 5,000 graduates a year, and most of their time was spent in study or recitation.

To provide their students with such a social outlet, Bethany College created the Neotropian Literary Society, which was the first fully student-run organization to show up on early college campuses. It was a distinct honor to receive an award from such an institution. In 1858, the Neotropian Society met to discuss who would win the year's top awards. However, a particular group of men within the society had previously decided collectively who they felt should win. With the discovery that these men had tarnished the voting, a group of eight men were very displeased and decided that they too must form their own secret group. Their primary purpose was to counteract the predetermined decision of who should win the society's awards, and return the system to one of impartial favor and based solely on merit. In early 1859, these men made their presence known on campus, and shortly thereafter, returned the Neotrophian into an unbiased organization.

This is how Delta Tau Delta came into existence. The founders, ranging in age from 17 to 26, wrote a Constitution, devised a Ritual, designed a membership badge, and established the mottoes and purposes of their club, all based on truth and moral good. Little did they know that their principles and ideals were so strong that they would not only stand the test of time, but continue to stand strong to this day.

Adapted from The Good Delt, published by the Fraternity in 1993, which is originally based on Sing to the Royal Purple, a comprehensive history of the Fraternity, written by Robert L. Hartford, Ohio '26 and published in 1978. 

Founding Fathers

Eugene Tarr 1840-1914
John C. Johnson 1840-1927
Henry K. Bell 1839-1867
Jacob S. Lowe 1839-1919
Alexander C. Earle 1841-1916
Richard H. Alfred 1832-1914
William R. Cunningham 1834-1919
John L.N. Hunt 1838-1918

Delta Tau Delta Founders House

The Birthplace of Delta Tau Delta has been preserved and stands today near the main gate of Bethany College, nestled in a quiet valley in the West Virginia hills.

The two-story, red brick house where the eight founders of Delta Tau Delta gathered in 1858 was formally restored in 1977. The house today appears as it did in 1858, when eight Bethany students met in an upstairs room to found a Fraternity that would later span the continent.