By April C. Armstrong *14
In this week’s installment in our recurring series, an outgoing president condemns slavery, a group of schoolboys tour the campus, and more.
August 13, 1943—Although the new Campus Center in Murray Dodge Hall is popular for many reasons, including a ready supply of chocolate milk, one of its main attractions is that daughters of the faculty and local alumni (dubbed “Campus Aides”) are there to serve as dance partners for students who spend time there.
August 14, 1880—In Popular Science, James McCosh responds to charges that typhoid broke out at Princeton because the institution neglected the sciences by pointing out that 13 of the 30 members of the faculty are scientists. Thomas Henry Huxley and William Jay Youmans, have written that if students had access to education in physiology they would not have gotten sick, but McCosh says this can easily be proven wrong, since Huxley and Youmans are part of the curriculum: “The students…go through a course of physiology, using ‘Huxley’s Elements’ as a textbook, along with ‘Youman’s Chapters on Hygiene,’ to which special attention is given.”
August 15, 1824—In his farewell sermon to Princeton, Philip Lindsley wraps up his time as acting College president by giving a vigorous condemnation of slavery: “Our slaves must be emancipated upon the soil which they cultivate. There is no alternative.” (He will later reverse his position.)
August 16, 1927—A caravan of boys from Oberlin’s “School on Wheels” tours the campus as part of a larger summer trip through the region. The students do not use textbooks but instead keep a log of what they have seen.
Did you read the previous installment in this series?
Fact check: We always strive for accuracy, but if you believe you see an error, please contact us.