The crowd at Knox is estimated at more than 10,000. 1860 Lincoln, during his successful campaign for President, receives an honorary degree from Knox College. It is the first honorary doctorate conferred by Knox and Lincoln's first educational degree of any kind. The Civil War seriously affects Knox College. Ten girls did their best by stepping into the vacant places, and men and women recited together in College and Seminary for the first time.
Society is organized.
This is a literary society, comparable to Adelphi and Gnothautii. Its name conveys the opinion of the day as to the purpose for sending women to college. 1867 Head of the Female Seminary, Lydia Howard, resigns, in protest of efforts by President Curtis to maintain separate classes for men and women. The day after Howard's resignation, a Saturday, students call for Curtis to resign. The following Monday, students boycott classes.