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

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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

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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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Six 'Years Without a Chancellor Successive Catastrophies Struggles of Chancellor Crosby Admission of Co-eds Acquisition of the Heights He was forced to resign when selected to run for vicefpresident on the Whig ticket in the campaign of 1844. No one could be found to fill capably the vacant oflice, and for six years the newly founded University continued its work without a head. Its success was considerably endangered, but at last in 1852, Dr. Isaac Ferris was selected Chancellor. Upon him rested the responsibility of co' ordinating the divisions of the University. By 185 8, the University was more firmly established than at any other time in its history. The attendance had grown to 639. Of this number 110 were in the College of Arts and Engineering, 411 in the Medical School, 70 in the School of Law, and 5 8 were enrolled in the other divisions. The outlook at this time seemed very bright, but again a series of catastrophies seriously threatened the existence of the University. The Medical College situated at 14th Street and Irving Place, was suddenly wiped away by a great fire, which razed the entire section in 1866. The efforts of many years were thus annihilated in one night. The Civil War also had drained the University of many students and faculty members, decreasing its enrollment and depleting the ranks of capable instructors. The resignation of Chancellor Ferris followed on the heels of these catastrophies. A iire had razed the Medical College, a war had sapped the strength of the University, resignation had deprived it of one of its most faithful workers. Conditions were truly in a woeful state. To Howard Crosby were turned all eyes in 1870, when he accepted the Chancellorship and with it the superhuman task of rebuilding from ashes and ruins. The struggles of the new Chancellor and his aides to replace New York University on a firm footing compose a long and bitter history. Lack of funds caused the lowest floor of the University Building to be rented to publishers. It was explained that the book trade would be in harmony with the character of the building. The work of rebuilding the medical College progressed favorably, and in 1876, the new home was opened with about five hundred students on its rolls. In the same year it was suggested that the University should ad' mit women students as well as men. This suggestion caused great consternation in the Council, which at first strenuously objected to these intruders. But the proposal was considered oiiicially, and in 1876 women were admitted and granted the rights and privileges of male students, Education must necessarily be progressive, and New York Univerf sity has not been an exception. In 1891, the option on the Mali estate above 179th Street was accepted, and construction soon was begun at the Heights. Aid now came from an unexpected source. Col. W. L. Strong, President of the Ohio Society, assisted conf siderably in securing more acreage on the new site. The University is indebted to him for the athletic field, which was named Ohio Field in appreciation of the Society's active interest in New York Univer- sity. I10l