List of Phi Beta Kappa members by year of admission


This is a list of members of the Phi Beta Kappa Society who have Wikipedia biographies.

Notable members elected as undergraduates

Honorary members

Ellis Loew, fictional District Attorney in James Ellroy's novels The Black Dahlia, The Big Nowhere, and L.A. Confidential is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and he shows his key several times.
In the movie The Thomas Crown Affair, the main character Thomas Crown toys with his golden Phi Beta Kappa key which he is wearing on a chain. It is stated that he is an alumnus of Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School.
In Desk Set, Katharine Hepburn reels off all of Spencer Tracy's character's accomplishments and says that he's a graduate of M.I.T. with a Ph.D. in Science and a Phi Beta Kappa, although he doesn't wear his key, which means either that he's modest or he lost it.
In the TV show Queen Sugar, the character Charley Bordelon West is a Phi Beta Kappa member. This is referenced when she has to correct someone who incorrectly refers to it as a social fraternity.
In the TV show Gilmore Girls Rory Gilmore is referenced as a member in Emily and Richard Gilmore's graduation musical duo.
In the TV show The Big Bang Theory Emily Sweeney is revealed as a Phi Beta Kappa member. It is said to have been apparent on her online dating profile viewed by Rajesh Koothrappali. Also, Sheldon Cooper has a frame of Phi Beta Kappa in his office, suggesting that he is a member.
Gavin Stevens, protagonist of several pieces by William Faulkner exhibits the Phi Beta Kappa key from Harvard in the stories "Hand Upon the Water", "An Error in Chemistry" and "Knight's Gambit".