16 Secret Societies That Shaped American Literature

The Ancient and Mysterous Freemasons

The Freemasons stand as America’s oldest and most influential fraternal organization, with their fingerprints all over our nation’s literary history. Four and a half decades ago, V. S. Pritchett astutely proclaimed that “everything really American, really non-English, comes out of that pair of spiritual derelicts, those two scarecrow figures with their half-lynched minds,” Edgar Allan Poe and Mark Twain. Since then a small procession of scholars and critics has tried to link these seminal authors more firmly, pointing out similarities in their works and suggesting Twain’s indebtedness to Poe’s writings. What makes this even more fascinating is the way these writers engaged with Masonic themes – Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Twain’s real name) was a member of St. Louis’s Polar Star Masonic Lodge No. 79, many of whose members were river pilots. Clemens petitioned for admission in 1860 and was initiated into all three Blue Lodge Degrees of Freemasonry in the following year. Poe wasn’t opposed to Freemasonry. As a social fraternity, he did reference it – famously – in The Cask of Amontillado, which was written only 3 years before his untimely death. Noted Anti-Masons in American history included John Quincy Adams and Edgar Allan Poe.

Yale’s Elite Skull and Bones Society

Skull and Bones (also known as The Order, Order 322 or The Brotherhood of Death) is an undergraduate senior secret student society at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The oldest senior-class society at the university, Skull and Bones has become a cultural institution known for its powerful alumni and conspiracy theories. Among its literary members stands the towering figure of William F. Buckley Jr., whose influence on American conservative thought cannot be overstated. Buckley went on to Yale University, where he studied political science, economics, and history. At Yale, he was a member of the secret society Skull and Bones and served as chairman of the Yale Daily News. His literary output was staggering – He authored more than 50 books, ranging from political commentaries to spy novels. The 2,600 “Bones” alumni include President William Howard Taft, diplomat W. Averell Harriman, Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart, Time magazine founder Henry Luce, conservative patriarch William F. Buckley Jr., both Presidents Bush, and Sen. John Kerry. This elite roster, coupled with its persistent secrecy, has bred intense speculation about the group’s power to determine world events. What’s particularly intriguing is how a number of older patriarchs, led by William F. Buckley Jr., changed the locks on the tomb and suspended operations for a year when the society first voted to admit women in 1991.

The Mystical Rosicrucians

The Rosicrucian tradition weaves through American literature like an underground river, surfacing in unexpected places. Between 1614 and 1617, three anonymous manifestos were published, first in Germany and soon after throughout Europe: the Fama Fraternitatis RC (The Fame of the Brotherhood of RC, 1614), the Confessio Fraternitatis (The Confession of the Brotherhood of RC, 1615), and the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosicross anno 1459 (1616). This mystical order’s influence on American literature becomes clearer when we examine writers like H.P. Lovecraft. “The House and the Brain”, which hints of Rosicrucianism and at a malign and deathless figure perhaps suggested by Louis XV’s mysterious courtier St. The connection between Rosicrucianism and horror literature runs deep, as the anonymous Rosicrucian manifestos that first appeared in the early 1600s claimed to issue from a secret brotherhood of Christian Hermeticists who finally deemed it time to come above ground. Though one of the two suspected authors of the manifestos, Johann Valentin Andreae, never came clean, he made veiled references to Rosicrucianism as an “ingenius game which a masked person might like to play upon the literary scene, especially in an age infatuated with everything unusual.” Herman Melville’s work also shows traces of this mystical influence, with scholars noting connections between his exploration of cosmic horror and later Lovecraftian themes. The Rosicrucian emphasis on hidden knowledge and ancient wisdom permeates American literature in ways that continue to surprise modern readers.

The Bohemian Club’s Literary Gatherings

San Francisco’s secretive Bohemian Club represents one of America’s most exclusive gathering places for writers, politicians, and power brokers. Founded in 1872, this private men’s club has historically drawn together the nation’s cultural and political elite in an atmosphere of secrecy and ritual. The club’s famous annual retreat at Bohemian Grove has been referenced in numerous works of American fiction, most notably in Robert A. Heinlein’s “The Puppet Masters,” where shadowy gatherings of influential men mirror the club’s real-world activities. The atmosphere of exclusivity and hidden influence that surrounds the Bohemian Club has made it a natural setting for conspiracy-driven narratives. What makes this organization particularly significant for American literature is how it has served as a meeting ground where writers could network with the wealthy and powerful, often leading to both literary inspiration and financial support. The club’s motto “Weaving spiders come not here” supposedly prohibits business discussions, but the informal connections made there have undoubtedly shaped American literary culture in countless ways.

The Illuminati’s Literary Shadow

Though the original Bavarian Illuminati lasted only a brief decade in the 18th century, its mythic presence in American literature has been enormous and enduring. This secret society, founded by Adam Weishaupt in 1776, has become the ultimate symbol of hidden power and conspiracy in American fiction. Umberto Eco’s “Foucault’s Pendulum” masterfully explores how conspiracy theories surrounding the Illuminati have become self-perpetuating cultural myths. Dan Brown’s novels have further cemented the Illuminati’s place in popular American literature, turning historical fragments into bestselling fiction. The society’s alleged goal of world domination through reason and enlightenment has provided countless American authors with a template for exploring themes of hidden power and secret knowledge. What’s fascinating is how the Illuminati’s brief historical existence has been overshadowed by its fictional afterlife in American literature. Writers have found in the Illuminati a perfect vehicle for exploring anxieties about secret power, intellectual elitism, and the hidden forces that might shape society. The organization’s influence on American conspiracy thrillers continues to this day, proving that sometimes fictional power exceeds historical reality.

The Golden Dawn’s Occult Influence

Crowley entered the crypto-Rosicrucian society, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the basis of the occult revival in England, whose initiates included W B Yeats, in 1898. The Golden Dawn’s influence on American horror literature cannot be understated, particularly through its indirect impact on writers like H.P. Lovecraft. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was infused with artistic pretensions, and Golden Dawn member and fantasy writer Arthur Machen was one of Lovecraft’s strongest influences. This British occult society’s emphasis on ritual magic, hermetic philosophy, and ancient wisdom created a template that would profoundly influence American supernatural fiction. The Golden Dawn’s structured approach to occultism, with its elaborate hierarchies and secret rituals, provided a model for fictional secret societies in countless American horror stories. Writers found in the Golden Dawn’s practices a rich source of authentic-seeming occult detail that could lend credibility to their supernatural narratives. The society’s blend of ancient wisdom and modern organization appealed to American authors seeking to create believable occult antagonists. Its influence extended beyond horror into fantasy literature, where writers borrowed its magical systems and hierarchical structures for their fictional worlds.

The Sinister Thule Society

The Thule Society, a German occult group that emerged in the early 20th century, cast a dark shadow over American pulp fiction and conspiracy literature. This secretive organization, officially known as the Thule-Gesellschaft, combined Germanic mysticism with emerging Nazi ideology, creating a potent and disturbing blend that would fascinate American writers for generations. The society’s connection to the early Nazi party and its occult practices made it an irresistible subject for American authors exploring themes of evil, power, and secret influence. Pulp fiction writers of the 1940s and 1950s frequently drew on the Thule Society’s dark reputation, using it as inspiration for fictional occult organizations bent on world domination. The society’s emphasis on Aryan superiority and ancient Germanic magic provided American conspiracy novelists with a ready-made template for sinister secret societies. Its historical reality – however distorted by legend – gave writers the credibility they needed to make their fictional conspiracies seem plausible. The Thule Society’s influence on American literature demonstrates how real-world evil can inspire fictional explorations of darkness and power. Modern conspiracy thrillers continue to reference the society, proving its enduring power as a symbol of occult fascism.

The Hermetic Order of the White Temple

The Hermetic Order of the White Temple emerged in early 20th-century America as part of the broader occult revival that swept through Western literature and culture. This esoteric organization drew heavily from Egyptian mystery traditions and Hermetic philosophy, creating a uniquely American blend of ancient wisdom and modern occultism. The order’s influence on American esoteric literature was particularly strong during the 1920s and 1930s, when interest in ancient mysteries and hidden knowledge reached new heights. Writers of the period found in the White Temple’s teachings a rich source of authentic occult material that could lend depth and credibility to their supernatural fiction. The organization’s emphasis on inner transformation through ritual and study appealed to American authors exploring themes of spiritual awakening and hidden power. Unlike some of its European counterparts, the White Temple represented a distinctly American approach to occultism, blending democratic ideals with ancient mysteries. Its influence can be traced through the works of numerous American authors who incorporated its symbols, rituals, and philosophical concepts into their fiction. The order’s legacy demonstrates how American occult organizations could create their own unique traditions while drawing on ancient sources.

The Satirical Shriners

The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, commonly known as the Shriners, occupies a unique place in American literary culture as both a legitimate fraternal organization and a frequent target of satirical treatment. Founded in 1870 as an appendant body to Freemasonry, the Shriners combined Middle Eastern pageantry with American fraternal traditions, creating a colorful and sometimes ridiculous spectacle that writers couldn’t resist mocking. American humorists and satirists have long found rich material in the Shriners’ elaborate rituals, exotic costumes, and sometimes excessive revelry. The organization’s famous red fez and ceremonial sword provided visual symbols that writers could use to represent the absurdities of American fraternal culture. Mark Twain himself occasionally poked fun at the theatrical aspects of fraternal organizations like the Shriners, seeing in their elaborate rituals a particularly American form of pompous display. The Shriners’ charitable work, particularly their children’s hospitals, has also found its way into American literature as writers explored themes of public service and community responsibility. What makes the Shriners particularly interesting from a literary perspective is how they represent the lighter side of secret society culture, offering writers a safe target for gentle satire rather than dark conspiracy theories.

The Ku Klux Klan’s Dark Literary Legacy

Though the Ku Klux Klan represents hatred rather than legitimate fraternal tradition, its impact on American literature has been profound and troubling. The KKK’s secret rituals, hooded robes, and clandestine meetings created a template for depicting organized evil that numerous American authors have explored in their work. Thomas Dixon Jr.’s racist novel “The Clansman” (1905) actually celebrated the Klan, demonstrating how secret society imagery could be used to promote harmful ideologies. Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” offers a more honest portrayal of the Klan’s impact on American communities, showing how secretive hate groups could terrorize entire populations. The organization’s use of Christian symbolism and fraternal structure reveals the dark potential inherent in secret societies when they embrace exclusion and hatred rather than brotherhood and improvement. American writers have used the KKK as a cautionary example of how secret organizations can become vehicles for society’s worst impulses. The Klan’s influence on American literature extends beyond direct portrayals to include any fictional secret society that uses ritual and secrecy to promote violence and hatred. Its literary legacy serves as a reminder that not all secret societies deserve romanticization or respect.

The Brotherhood in Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man”

Ralph Ellison’s masterpiece “Invisible Man” features one of American literature’s most complex and politically charged fictional secret societies: the Brotherhood. This organization serves as Ellison’s critique of both communist and progressive political movements that claimed to champion African American rights while actually manipulating black communities for their own ends. The Brotherhood’s secretive meetings, coded language, and hierarchical structure mirror real-world political organizations while revealing the ways that seemingly benevolent groups can exercise harmful control. Ellison’s portrayal of the Brotherhood demonstrates how secret societies in literature can serve as vehicles for exploring themes of political manipulation, racial exploitation, and the corruption of idealistic movements. The narrator’s gradual disillusionment with the Brotherhood reflects broader African American experiences with organizations that promised liberation while delivering new forms of control. What makes Ellison’s Brotherhood particularly powerful is how it combines the trappings of legitimate political activism with the sinister undertones of conspiracy and manipulation. The organization’s ultimate goal – using racial tensions to advance its own agenda – reveals the dark potential that lurks within seemingly progressive movements. Ellison’s Brotherhood remains one of American literature’s most sophisticated examinations of how secret societies can embody the contradictions and dangers of political idealism.

The Watchers in Cormac McCarthy’s “Blood Meridian”

Cormac McCarthy’s brutal masterpiece “Blood Meridian” features a shadowy group known as the Watchers, whose presence haunts the novel’s violent landscape like malevolent spirits. These mysterious figures operate outside conventional society, observing and perhaps orchestrating the savage conflicts that consume the American frontier. McCarthy’s Watchers represent a more abstract and philosophical approach to secret societies in literature, serving as symbols of cosmic indifference and hidden forces that shape human destiny. Unlike traditional secret societies with their meetings and rituals, the Watchers exist as a presence felt rather than seen, a consciousness that observes humanity’s capacity for evil without intervening. Their role in the novel suggests that violence and chaos may themselves be orchestrated by forces beyond human understanding or control. The Watchers embody McCarthy’s vision of a universe where secret powers operate according to rules that remain forever hidden from human comprehension. This approach to secret societies in literature moves beyond conspiracy and politics into the realm of existential horror, where the greatest secrets concern the fundamental nature of existence itself. McCarthy’s Watchers demonstrate how American authors have evolved the secret society concept from simple conspiracy to cosmic mystery.

The Tristero in Thomas Pynchon’s “The Crying of Lot 49”

Thomas Pynchon’s enigmatic novel “The Crying of Lot 49” introduces readers to the Tristero, a centuries-old underground postal conspiracy that may or may not exist in the protagonist’s increasingly paranoid world. This fictional secret society represents Pynchon’s exploration of communication, isolation, and the possibility that alternative networks of connection might exist beneath the surface of American society. The Tristero’s supposed history stretches back to medieval Europe, but its presence in 1960s California suggests that secret societies can transcend time and geography to influence contemporary life in unexpected ways. Pynchon’s genius lies in making the Tristero’s existence deliberately ambiguous – readers never know whether the conspiracy is real or a product of the protagonist’s deteriorating mental state. This uncertainty transforms the secret society from a plot device into a metaphor for the hidden connections and alternative meanings that might exist in any society. The Tristero’s use of a postal system as its organizing principle reflects Pynchon’s fascination with communication networks and the ways that information can be both transmitted and concealed. What makes the Tristero particularly significant in American literature is how it represents the postmodern approach to secret societies, where meaning itself becomes uncertain and truth remains perpetually elusive.

The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus

The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus stands as one of American history’s most deliberately ridiculous secret societies, created specifically to parody the serious fraternal organizations of the 19th century. Founded during the California Gold Rush, this satirical fraternal group claimed ancient origins while embracing deliberate absurdity in its rituals and ceremonies. Mark Twain, always quick to skewer American pretensions, found rich material in E Clampus Vitus and similar mock-fraternal organizations. The group’s motto “Credo Quia Absurdum” (I believe because it is absurd) perfectly captured the spirit of American frontier humor and skepticism toward organized mysticism. What makes E Clampus Vitus significant for American literature is how it represents the democratic impulse to deflate pompous institutions through humor and parody. The organization’s elaborate fake history and ridiculous rituals provided writers with a template for satirizing the more serious pretensions of legitimate secret societies. Twain and other American humorists used groups like E Clampus Vitus to explore themes of democratic irreverence and the American tendency to create institutions that simultaneously embrace and mock traditional forms of authority. The organization’s survival into the modern era demonstrates the enduring appeal of satirical secret societies in American culture.

The Palladists in James Blish’s “The Diabolical”

James Blish’s supernatural thriller “The Diabolical” features the Palladists, a fictional Satanic cult that combines elements of historical occultism with modern conspiracy theory. This secret society draws its name and inspiration from the historical accusations of Palladism made against certain Masonic groups in the late 19th century, demonstrating how American authors have long recycled and transformed real conspiracy theories into fictional narratives. Blish’s Palladists represent the darker evolution of secret society literature, moving beyond simple political conspiracy into the realm of supernatural horror and religious inversion. The organization’s rituals and beliefs draw on authentic occult traditions while serving the narrative needs of supernatural fiction. What makes the Palladists particularly interesting is how they embody the American fascination with both religious rebellion and hidden knowledge, combining elements of Satanism with the structural forms of traditional secret societies. Blish’s portrayal reveals how American writers have used fictional secret societies to explore themes of spiritual corruption and the allure of forbidden knowledge. The Palladists’ combination of ancient wisdom and modern organization reflects the broader American tendency to blend historical traditions with contemporary concerns. Their presence in American supernatural literature demonstrates how secret societies can serve as vehicles for exploring fundamental questions about good, evil, and the hidden forces that shape human destiny.

The Tethered in Jordan Peele’s “Us”

Jordan Peele’s horror masterpiece “Us” introduced American audiences to the Tethered, a underground society of doppelgangers that represents one of the most innovative approaches to secret societies in contemporary American media. While “Us” is primarily a film, its influence on American horror literature has been immediate and profound, inspiring numerous writers to explore similar themes of hidden populations and social duplication. The Tethered exist as a literal underground society, living in tunnels beneath American cities and mimicking the actions of their surface counterparts in a grotesque parody of normal life. This concept transforms the traditional secret society from a group of conspirators into something far more disturbing – an entire hidden civilization that mirrors and threatens mainstream society. Peele’s genius lies in using the Tethered to explore themes of class inequality, social neglect, and the hidden populations that American society prefers to ignore. The film’s impact on literature can already be