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The History of Phi Delta Theta

Phi Delta Theta was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio by a young undergraduate with a vision, Robert Morrison. Morrison, like many other students at Miami University in 1847 was disheartened by the actions of the governing body of the University and their decision to place a ban on secret societies on campus. Later that year in December, students rebelled against President McMaster's decision during one of the worst snowstorms that the University had ever seen. In protest, fraternity members proceeded to block off the main entrance to the university as well as the President's Office with giant snow barricades. The rebellion resulted in the expulsion of all fraternity members on campus. Even more students retaliated after the mass expulsion and packed the inside of the University with ice bringing the entire building to a chill overnight. McMaster held trials for two weeks following the incident seeking to find those heading the operation. Realizing that a great percentage of the student population had participated in the rebellion and in complete and utter frustration, McMaster decided to close the University instead of expelling even more students. The school’s board of trustees quickly fired President McMaster due to the loss of profit that he had caused the University and installed a new President William Anderson who immediately lifted the ban on secret societies and as a result Miami University became a freer and more mentally cultivating environment. The Great Snowball Rebellion of 1848 was a success.

On December 26th 1848, Robert Morrison extended bids to five undergraduates at Miami University to help be a part of a new organization on campus, a fraternity that held the following principles in high esteem: Friendship, Sound Learning, and Moral Rectitude.

Today, Morrison's vision of a fraternity that practices the cultivation of friendship among its members, the acquirement individually of a high degree of mental culture, and the attainment personally of a high standard of morality, is indeed a reality. With over 160 active chapters across the United States and Canada and about 140,000 members worldwide, Phi Delta Theta has become an international fraternity, a network, and a breeding ground for a myriad of impressive achievements and great minds that all share a common bond based on the three cardinal principles listed above.

Phi Delta Theta's first Canadian chapter was installed as Quebec Alpha at McGill University in 1902. Four years later, Phi Delta Theta ontario Alpha was installed at the University of Toronto in 1906. With 1014 initiated members, Phi Delta Theta is one of the oldest and most well respected fraternities on U of T campus. A mansion with three stories, Phi Delta Theta sits at the intersection of St. George and Lowther Avenue just North of Bloor St. across from the Church of Christian Science.