6. The Independent Order Of Odd Fellows

What Is It:
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows started for people who were too lazy for the long initiation process to become Freemasons. The future George IV reportedly founded the secret club in 1810 when an impatient relative was refused Freemason membership; however, some of the Odd Fellows own records date their origins to around 587 BCE and exiled Israelites in Babylon. Needless to say, it became one of the most popular secret clubs for British politicians.

Famous Members:

George IV
Winston Churchill
Stanley Baldwin

Why You Should Join:
In 1834, six members of the outlawed Odd Fellows society were sent to an Australian penal colony for their membership. If it’s worth a life sentence, it must be pretty cool.