Peter Ogden (Odd Fellows founder)

Peter Ogden (died 1852) was the founder of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America.

[1] This fraternal order was a Benefit society open to African American men and was heavily involved with the early civil rights movement.

The official history of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America notes that he was born in the West Indies,[3] with one source specifying the island of Jamaica.

The Institute petitioned the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for a charter, but they were denied because of their race.

Ogden, informed about the rejection, urged the men to instead seek recognition from the Grand United Order of Oddfellows in England in what he thought was a purer form of Odd Fellowship without American racism.