Frank Reed Horton
American fraternity founder
Frank Reed Horton (July 17, 1896 – August 28, 1966) was an American educator. He is best known as the founder and first national president of Alpha Phi Omega, an international service fraternity.
Early life and education
Horton was born July 17, 1896, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. He attended Worcester Academy in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1914.
In 1915, after leaving Worcester Academy, he worked during the day as a law clerk and at night studied law extension courses from La Salle Extension College. In Fall of 1916, Horton enrolled in Boston University in 1917, where he became a brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Military
In June Horton joined the U.S. Navy in 1918, commissioned an ensign in 1919. As an ensign, he served on the minesweeper USS Whippoorwill (AM-35) shortly after World War I and received the World War I Victory Medal with Minesweeper Clasp.
Continuing education after WWI
After the war, Horton finished his associate degree in law from Boston University. He later received a A.B. and M.A. degrees in history from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1926 and 1938, respectively.
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