The 13 most powerful members of 'Skull and Bones

In 1832, Yale studentsincluding future President William Howard Taft's fatherfounded one of America's most famous secret societies: Skull and Bones.Since then, the group has come to signify all that both mesmerizes and repulses the public about the elite.Each year, only 15 juniorsare "tapped," or chosen, for lifetime membership in the club.A windowless building on 64 High St., the "Tomb," serves as the club's headquarters. The roof is a landing pad for a private helicopter, according to Alexandra Robbins' book,"Secrets of the Tomb: Skull and Bones, the Ivy League, and the Hidden Paths of Power." For that perk and others, Bonesmen must swear total allegiance to the club.New members reportedly divulge intimate personal details, including their full sexual histories, before they're inducted. They also agree to give part of their estates to the club. But, in return, they receive the promise of lifelong financial stabilityso they won't feel tempted to sell the club's secrets, Robbins writes.Among those business titans, poets, politicians, and three US presidents, we picked the honor roll.Thornton McEnery contributed research to this article.William Howard Taft ' Class of 1878As the only person to serve as both president and Supreme Court chief justice, Taft earned his spot on our list. The 27th president went by "Old Bill" during his Yale days but later earned the nickname "Big Lub."Taft also received the honorary title of "magog," meaning he had the most sexual experience while in the secret club, according to Alexandra Robbins.Young Taft probably found entrance into the club rather easily. His father, former Attorney General Alphonso Taft, co-founded Skull and Bones as a Yale student in 1832.McGeorge Bundy ' Class of 1940Before becoming one of JFK's "Wise Men," Bundy may have relied on his big brother to help him get into Skull and Bones. William Bundy, who graduated a class earlier, went on to serve as State Department liaison official, notably during the Bay of Pigs invasion."Odin," as fellow Bonesmen called him, however, left his own mark on the world, though potentially not all positive.One of the Kennedy's advisors, Bundy heavily impacted the evolution of the Vietnam War. After his death, fellow officials used his notes to express regret about many policies enacted during the era.George Herbert Walker Bush ' Class of 1948Before Bush became the second Bonesman to occupy the Oval Office, he also piloted in WWII and served as ambassador to Red China, director of the CIA, and of course, vice president to Ronald Reagan.President during the end of the Cold War, Bush obviously supported space exploration. The American people have also criticized and exalted his involvement in the Gulf War, notably Operation Desert Storm.One of Bush's little-known contributions, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, was one of the most pro-civil rights laws in decades. But he also vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1990.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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