Flat Hat History
The following is an article published in a past issue of
The Flat Hat explaining the origins of our name.
"Some may wonder why we are The Flat Hat any more than the
Cocked Hat, the Mashed Derby or the Squashed Cap.
The origin of the name of this newspaper goes back to a
gentleman's club founded in 1750, called The Flat Hat Club.
It was more commonly referred to simply as F.H.C. Its notable
members included St. George Tucker, Thomas Jefferson and
George Wythe, to name only a few.
It is believed that F.H.C. was probably the precursor of
Phi Beta Kappa, established in 1775. In an editorial
heralding the birth of The Flat Hat, the Times-Dispatch
commented on the importance of this association.
If this society was that out of which Phi Beta Kappa grew,
then the F.H.C. has the distinction of being the genesis, not
alone of a great scholarly brotherhood, but likewise of the
numberless Greek letter fraternities... that exert an
immeasurable influence for the brotherhood of man. The
discovery of the existence of this society is, therefore, of
interest throughout the nation. It was most fitting
therefore, that so ancient and honorable a name should have
been given to the new publication at the College of William
and Mary."
In a correspondence of his at one time, Mr. Jefferson said
that F.H.C. was not for any useful purpose. It may be
assumed from this that the society may have been purely
social. But a list of the books in the possession of the
club includes heavyweights by such authors as Locke, Newton,
Priestly, Franklin, Halley, Hume and Walpole.
"It would seem that the pleasures of these young gentlemen
were pretty substantial, even if for no useful purpose, if
the subjects for their light reading can be supposed to
suggest anything."
The badge of the club was circular with an elaborate coat
of arms on one side, and F.H.C. in a large monogram on the
other. Beneath was a date and motto:
Nov. XI. MDCCL
Stabilitas et Fides
Thus, The Flat Hat derives its name, its motto and its
distinguished heritage.
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