The Order of the Red Friars

Who were the Red Friars? [3582A]

The Red Friars, or more precisely, The Order of the Red Friars, were a senior men’s secret honorary society, founded in 1913 at Trinity College. The Order voluntarily disbanded in 1971. The Red Friars’ mission was to promote social spirit at Trinity College, later Duke University; later groups declared their purpose was to foster loyalty and interest in the university through anonymous service in student organizations. The organization’s records can be found in the Duke University Archives.