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This Week in Princeton University History for October 2-8
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the colonial governor suggests a fundraising trip, popular new software requires further evaluation before being made available on campus, and more. October 2, 1751—New Jersey Governor Jonathan Belcher writes to Aaron Burr to suggest he go on a fundraising tour of Europe…
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This Week in Princeton History for September 25-October 1
By April C. Armstrong *14 In this week’s installment of our recurring series, Lafayette is on campus, a sophomore secures an unusual mode of transportation, and more. September 25, 1824— Marie Jean Paul Joseph Roche Yves Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, is on campus to receive an honorary L.L.D. in a “temple” constructed for…
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This Week in Princeton History for September 18-24
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a new president formally takes the helm, the Dean of the Graduate School defends an unpopular policy, and more. September 20, 1974—A Pepsi-Cola strike is now in its fourth week, and some of Princeton’s dining halls have run out of the carbon dioxide gas needed to make…
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Dear Mr. Mudd: Why Does My Princeton Diploma Spell “University” as “Vniuersitatis”?
By April C. Armstrong *14 on behalf of “Mr. Mudd“ Dear Mr. Mudd, My fiancé just noticed that my Princeton diploma spells “university” in Latin as “Vniuersitatis,” rather than “Universitatis.” We have searched, but haven’t been able to find an explanation for this (nor have we found an alternative Latin spelling). Could you tell us?…
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This Week in Princeton History for September 4-10
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a system is put in place to warn passengers of departing trains, a new student reflects on having a roommate of a different race, and more. September 4, 1868—So people do not miss their trains, a bell will now be rung five minutes before departure from Princeton,…
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A Princeton President, Special Collections, and Supreme Court Precedents
This post is the second this week concerning recent Supreme Court decisions and their relation to materials housed within Princeton University Library’s Special Collections. Please see the Special Collections post on the Indian Child Welfare Act for more. By Dan Linke The Supreme Court’s recent decision on the place of race in college admissions has…
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This Week in Princeton History for August 14-20
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, one alum condemns lynch mobs, another observes an enemy army arriving, and more. August 14, 1818—Following an investigation, faculty suspend sophomore George W. Giles and discipline three other students for “supping at the tavern” without permission. Though the others will face only reproof, “Mr. Giles had also…
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Dear Mr. Mudd: Have There Been Any Princeton Students Who Went to Prison for Serious Crimes?
By April C. Armstrong *14 Dear Mr. Mudd, Have there been any Princeton students who went to prison for serious crimes? Although there are some Princetonians who have ended up in prison for their infamous deeds, including James Hogue (alias Alexi Santana) and Lyle Menendez, it’s probably more commonly the case that in the past…
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This Week in Princeton History for July 24-30
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a professor’s nickname raises eyebrows in Boston, a campus visitor is surprised to see someone throwing a telegraph pole around, and more. July 25, 1867—The Boston Post reports, “The Princeton students call Prof. Aiken, late of Dartmouth, ‘Prof. Yank.’ They need two or three more Jerome medals…
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This Week in Princeton History for July 17-23
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, fears of violence turn out to be unwarranted, a student is bewildered by the behavior of the locals during a visit from the U.S. President, and more. July 20, 1867—Physician George McCulloch McGill, Class of 1858, dies alone of cholera by the side of the road, having…
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