The Harrison times., 1915-09-04

From what did Washington Uni
varsity derive its name?' is question
asked with increasing frequency since
the great institution of learning at st.
Louis commenced to attract worldwide
attention
Although most of the inquiries Origi-
nate in other cities than st. Louis,
many St LOuisans have inaccurate
information on the matter.
The inquirer on the street in st.
Louis ID likely to be informed that the
name Washington naturally settled it
self upon the university as result OF
its location, when a small school, on
Washington avenue That is the ex-
planation received by the writer
shortly after his arrival in st. Louis.
But that does not explain truthfuliy.
True Story of Source of Name.
The real explanation may be found
ia an historical sketch which the uni
versty has issued and which in part
follows
On the 22nd OF February 1853, at the
instance of Wayrnan Crow, ESQ, member
of the State Senate, the Legislature OF
Missouri granted charter TO an educa-
tional institution ty be located In st
Louis, and to bear the name of Eliot
Seminary, in honor Of the Rev. William
G. Eliot of St Louis The charter, a
most liberal one, was to be perpetual,
and no limitations were imposed except
ing those which forbade any sectarlan or
partisan instruction.
The first meeting Of the corporation
named in the charter was held on the
l2nd of February, 1854 In Difference to
the wishes of DR. Eliot, the name of the
institution was changed Since the char.
ter had been granted on the 22nd OF Feb
ruary. the birthday of Washington, and
since the meeting Of the corporation for
organization had also occurred on this
same anniversary, the name of the in.
stitution was changed from Eliot Semi
nary to Washington Institute, which in
1857 became, by change in the charter
Washing ton University 1t seemed to the
founders that the name was significant
Of the character Of the institution which
they sought to found.
The first educational work done under
The charter of 1853 was the opening Of
IN evening school for boys in a building
On Sixth street, during the winter Of
l6O4-OD. rms SCU0Ol WAS Cdleu lu)
"O'Falon Polytechnic Institute" In hon.
Or Of Colonel John O'Fallon, for years
ane Of the University Directors.
Real Beginning Of University.
This evening school and a day school
which mad been IN operation for, some
time before this period we're carried on
together until, in September, 1856, "A
ouildng on Seventeenth street was com
| Dleted and occupied by the day school
| The evening school was sustained for
several years by the University until by
| special arrangement the entire care or
! this school was assumed by the Public
School Board This school on Seven
| teenth street the forerunner OF the pres
| ent Smith Academy gOW secondary
| school Of the University was the real
| beginning of Washington University
| The formal inauguration of the Uni
I versity took place on the 2Srd Of April,
! 1857. Later In the year a building was
erected for the chemical laboratory In
! the next year the organization Of the Col.
lege was completed The fest College
! degrees were granted In 1862.
The east wing OF the main building, Of
| which the academic building formed the
! south wing was erected In 1853 and used
| for College classes. The west wing Was
! added in 1871 and devoted to the Poly
! technic School
| In the meantime the University had
been growing, adding new departments,
and receiving additional endowments.
| The Law School was organized IN 1867
the Polytechnic School now known Az
the Schools Of Engineering and Archi
| lecture, In 1870; the School OF Fine Art,
in 1870 the School Of Botany IN 1886.
The 81 Louis Medical College, founded
In ists. was admitted as a department OF
| the University In 1891, and the Missouri
| Dental College In 1892, In 1899 the Mia
| ao,ri Medical College, founded IN lSi0
Wa united with the ~, Louis Medical
| z ollege to form the Medical School OF
| Washington University,