 The first public announcement of the Knights of Classic Lore appeared in the February 1, 1899 issue of the "Argus", which is the student publication of Illinois Wesleyan University.During formation, the Knights of Classic Lore were trying to get the Illinois Epsilon chapter of Phi Delta Theta restored.Prominent Phi Delt alumnus Richard Henry Little became a persistent sponsor for the Knights to petition Phi Delta Theta for a charter.