Sigma Delta Pi (fraternity)

This article is about the defunct social fraternity. For Hispanic honor society, see Sigma Delta Pi.
Sigma Delta Pi
S.D.P.
FoundedSeptember 1858 (September 1858)
Chandler Scientific School
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndepdendent
StatusMerged
Merge date1889
SuccessorBeta Theta Pi
ScopeNational
Chapters3
PatronVitruvius
Other nameVitruvian
HeadquartersHanover, New Hampshire
United States

Sigma Delta Pi (S.D.P.), also called Vitruvian, was an American college fraternity. It was established in 1858 at the Chandler Scientific School of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. It established three chapters before going inactive when the founding chapter joined Beta Theta Pi in 1889.

History

Sigma Delta Pi was established at the Chandler Scientific School of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire in September 1858.[1][2] In its charter, the fraternity was also named Vitruvian,[1][3] in tribute to the Roman architect Vitruvius.. Its founders were all members of the class of 1858 from the scientific school.[2] Its founders were Henry L. Bartholomew, William H. Fessenden, Augustus Livingstone, W. U. Potter, John A. Staples, and Charles W. Thompson, with the assistance of professor I. S. Woodman.[2][4]

The Dartmouth chapter initially met in the rooms of its members, but had secured a hall by 1879.[2] All of its members all came from the Chandler Scientific School.[4] Sigma Delta Pi remained a local fraternity until a second chapter was chartered at Cornell University in 1871.[1] This was followed by a third chapter at the College of Wooster in 1873.[1] However, both chapters were weak and went inactive after three years, returning the Dartmouth chapter to local status.[1][2]

Sigma Delta Pi published a catalog in 1872 and 1882.[1] In 1879, the fraternity had initiated 290 members.[2] By 1882, it had grown to 323 members.[4] In January 1887, Sigma Delta Pi was one of six fraternities that lost its hall in a fire at Dartmouth.[5][6] The fraternity had insurance coverage of $500 and was able to obtain temporary quarters.[5][6]

The Dartmouth chapter became the Alpha Omega chapter of Beta Theta Pi in 1889.[1][7]

Symbols

Sigma Delta Pi's badge was a gold shield, displaying the Greek letters "S.D.P.", a sextant, and the letters "S" and "D" on either side of a clinched hand. Above the shield was scroll with the date "1858". Below the shield was another scroll bearing the name "Dartmouth".[2][4]

Chapters

Following are the chapters of Sigma Delta Pi.

Chapter Charter date and range Institution Location Status Ref.
Alpha September 1858–1889 Chandler Scientific School Hanover, New Hampshire Merged (ΒΘΠ) [1][2][7][a]
Beta 1871–1874 Cornell University Ithaca, New York Inactive [1][2]
Gamma 1873–1877 College of Wooster Wooster, Ohio Inactive [1][2]
  1. ^ Chapter merged into Beta Theta Pi, forming its Alpha Omega chapter.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (October 26, 2025) "Inacitve Men's Organizations" Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed October 28, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Baird, Wm. Raimond, ed. (1879). "Sigma Delta Pi". American College Fraternities (1st ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. p. 116 – via HathiTrust.
  3. ^ "Obituary". Hartford Courant. 1866-08-09. p. 4. Retrieved 2025-10-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d Baird, Wm. Raimond, ed. (1883). "Sigma Delta Pi". American College Fraternities (2nd revised [known as the 3rd] ed.). New York: Frank Williams. p. 181 – via HathiTrust.
  5. ^ a b "Dartmouth College". The Springfield Daily Republican. 1887-02-03. p. 7. Retrieved 2025-10-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Dartmouth College". Boston Evening Transcript. 1887-02-03. p. 7. Retrieved 2025-10-29 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b "1830 - Beta Theta Pi - 1889". The New York Times. 1889-07-28. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-10-29 – via Newspapers.com.
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