New York University School of Commerce - Commerce Violet Yearbook (New York, NY)

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S P wx gothic lviiilding, which stood at the northf east corner of Washington Square, was the home of New 'Ynrlq University from 1835 to 1895. This impressive liuxlcling is still held in ajjlectionate memory lug' represeritatives of num' erous old Kniclqerhoclqer families, many of them descendants of the fmmders. True to its ideals, the University put its 'mark indelilyly on a Cher' ished section of the city. The old structure has been replaced, but its spirit lives on. Fresh opportunities have brought broader felds of activity and a renewal of faith in the original purposes, The Hall of Fame and the group 01 buildings on the campus at Univer- sity Heights. the medical group on the east side of the city, the Universityls Wall Street Division are the outgrowth of a concerted impulse of far' sighted citizens, Massively this same spirit lives on in the fue lvusldings at Vwfashington Square. l

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S New York drew to itself the Com- merceethe peoplesfthe homage of all nations, it fostered the growth of New York University. Over the span of a century thou- sands of youths have grown to manhood under the influence of New York University. Liberal and public-spirited men have ever nourished its schools of arts and sciences. At the turn ofthe nineteenth century was founded the School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance. Here is enriched the industrial, the commercial, and financial blood of each new generation. The Violet for 1951 is a chap- ter in the history of that school. It is the cul- mination of a hundred years' progress. The Violet is a reflection of what Commerce stu- dents do and think. It cannot record the suc- cess of those who have gone before, but the Violet can give hint of the ambition and antici- pation of those for whom it was written. E71

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Cdfflistory of Uxkw :york University 1830-Founding of New 'York University 1831-First Officers 4 Elected 1838fFouncli11g of the Law School and Medical College Cn January 4, 1830, nine gentlemen met one night to discuss plans for the formation of a university on a liberal and extensive scale. The names of these distinguished gentlemen, the founders of New York University were: lvl. Mathews, J. IVI. Wainwright, Auf gustine Smith, Valentine Ivlott, Joseph Delafield, Myndert Van' schaick, Hugh Maxwell, Isaac S. Hone and John Delafield. Of these, two were clergymen, two merchants, two physicians, one banker, one lawyer, and one gentleman of leisure devoted to the study of science. Action was the keynote of that meeting. Within sixteen months, a charter had been obtained, and the University of the City of New York was incorporated on April 21, 1831 and registered at Albany. It required fully one year to overcome the numerous obstacles which presented themselves, and it was not until October 3, 1832, that actual instruction was begun. Clinton Hall, now Temple Court at the corner of Nassau and Beekman Streets, bore the distinction of housing the first students of New York University. The enrollment was one hundred and four students. Albert Gallatin, distinguished by some historians as the ablest of secretaries of state, became the first president of the University Council, with Morgan Lewis vicefpresident, Samuel Ward, treasurer, and John Delafield serving as the first secretary. james J. Matthews, D.D. was the first Chancellor. Under the untiring efforts of these first officers, the work prof gressed rapidly, and Clinton Hall soon became inadequate. In July, 1833, the cornerstone for a building on a newly acquired site on the east side of Washington Square was laid, and on May 20, 1837, the new college was at last dedicated to the purpose of science, literature and religion. This beautiful edifice fully housed the students for the next fifty years. The forward outlook which has characterized the rise of New York University was indicated in 1835, when the Hon. B. F. Butler presented his plans for the organization of a Law School. By 1838, the new department was in active cooperation, and Dr. Butler was elected its first principal. After making secure the establishment of the Law School, Chancelf lor Matthews resigned in 1838. The Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, a graduate of Princeton and a distinguished member of the Senate, immediately replaced him. Under his able guidance the University enjoyed an extended period of prosperity, and its enrollment inf creased rapidly. The Medical College was founded under Chan- cellor Frelinghuysen in 1839. E91