Phi Beta Kappa Famous Members: A Legacy of Achievement Tables

The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the oldest academic honor society in the United States, founded in 1776 at the College of William & Mary. Members are elected based on their academic excellence and commitment to the liberal arts and sciences. Over the centuries, Phi Beta Kappa has inducted some of the most influential and accomplished minds in American history.

Heads of State and Government

• John Adams: Second President of the United States
• Thomas Jefferson: Third President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence
• James Madison: Fourth President of the United States and Father of the Constitution
• Theodore Roosevelt: 26th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate
• Woodrow Wilson: 28th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Supreme Court Justices

• John Marshall: Fourth Chief Justice of the United States
• Salmon Chase: Sixth Chief Justice of the United States
• Louis Brandeis: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
• Thurgood Marshall: First African-American Supreme Court Justice
• William Rehnquist: 16th Chief Justice of the United States

Literary Giants

• Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.: Poet, essayist, and physician
• Herman Melville: Novelist and author of “Moby-Dick”
• Nathaniel Hawthorne: Novelist and author of “The Scarlet Letter”
• Louisa May Alcott: Novelist and author of “Little Women”
• Emily Dickinson: Poet

Scientists and Scholars

• Isaac Newton: English mathematician, physicist, and astronomer
• Charles Darwin: English naturalist and author of “On the Origin of Species”
• Albert Einstein: German-born American physicist and Nobel Prize laureate
• Marie Curie: Polish-French physicist and Nobel Prize laureate
• Stephen Hawking: British physicist and author of “A Brief History of Time”

Corporate Leaders and Entrepreneurs

• Bill Gates: Co-founder of Microsoft
• Warren Buffett: Investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
• Elon Musk: CEO of Tesla and SpaceX
• Indra Nooyi: Former CEO of PepsiCo
• Reed Hastings: Co-founder and CEO of Netflix

Notable Achievements

According to the Phi Beta Kappa Society, its members have collectively:

• Won over 1,700 Pulitzer Prizes
• Won over 250 Nobel Prizes
• Held more than 600 Rhodes Scholarships
• Served as President of the United States more than 40 times
• Served as a Supreme Court Justice more than 100 times

The Value of Membership

Membership in Phi Beta Kappa signifies a commitment to excellence and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. It opens doors to a network of distinguished alumni and provides access to exclusive scholarships, research opportunities, and leadership development programs.

Notable Quotes

• “Phi Beta Kappa has been instrumental in promoting the ideals of academic excellence and the pursuit of knowledge for over two centuries.” – Dr. Mary Sue Coleman, former President of the University of Michigan
• “The Phi Beta Kappa key is a symbol of not only academic achievement but also commitment to service and civic engagement.” – Dr. Wendy Kopp, founder and CEO of Teach For America
• “Phi Beta Kappa membership is a testament to hard work and a deep love for learning.” – Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Impact on Society

Phi Beta Kappa’s members have made significant contributions to every field of human endeavor. They have advanced scientific knowledge, shaped public policy, created works of art that have inspired generations, and led organizations that have improved the world. The legacy of Phi Beta Kappa’s famous members is a testament to the power of academic excellence and the commitment to a liberal arts education.

Table 1: Phi Beta Kappa Members in Politics

Table 2: Phi Beta Kappa Members in Law

Table 3: Phi Beta Kappa Members in Literature

Table 4: Phi Beta Kappa Members in Science and Technology