Peter Ogden

alt=An image of Peter Ogden in a suit with a three links pin on his coat.

Peter Ogden (died 1852) was the founder of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America. This fraternal order was a Benefit society open to African American men and was heavily involved with the early civil rights movement. Ogden was born in the West Indies and served on the S.S. Patrick Henry as a ship's steward. with one source specifying the island of Jamaica. Ogden was a sailor and then steward on the S.S. Patrick Henry that sailed between Liverpool and New York City. While in Liverpool, Ogden was initiated in Odd Fellowship in Victoria Lodge, No. 448.

The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America The Philomathean Institute was formed in New York City in 1842 by educated Black men of that city including Patrick H. Reason and James Fields.

Ogden initiated the other men into Odd Fellowship bringing over the ritual and symbolism from England and oversaw the creation of a second lodge in New York, the Hamilton Lodge, No. 710.

Personal life Peter Ogden was married, though his wife's name is unknown. He died on November 29, 1852, in New York.