Skull and Bones, a secret society at Yale University, was founded in 1832. Until 1971, the organization published annual membership rosters, which were kept at Yale's library. In this list of notable Bonesmen, the number in parentheses represents the cohort year of Skull and Bones, as well as their graduation year. Some news organizations refer to the organization's members as a power elite. There are no official rosters published after 1982 and membership for later years is often speculative.

Founding members (1832–33 academic year)

19th century

1830s

1840s

1850s

1860s

1870s

1880s

1890s

20th century and beyond

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s to present