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This Week in Princeton History for September 11-17
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, efforts to help sleepless bunnies are helping, Princeton donates a cannon to a scrap metal drive, and more. September 11, 1868—Due to a family illness, James McCosh has delayed sailing for America. September 12, 1980—To solve problems with insomniac lab rabbits, the bunnies at the Biochemical Sciences…
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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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This Week in Princeton History for August 28-September 3
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the Wyman estate reverts to the University, a student is unimpressed by a New York tourist attraction, and more. August 29, 1921—Susan B. Dickinson, widow of Daniel Dickinson and daughter of William Wyman, dies. According to a provision in the will of her uncle, Isaac C. Wyman…
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This Week in Princeton History for August 21-27
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a member of the Class of 1931 meets with tragedy while engaged in heroic efforts to save others, an employee stages a stakeout, and more. August 23, 1981—Under new legislation signed by Ronald Reagan this month, students who secure educational loans after this date will be required…
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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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This Week in Princeton History for August 7-13
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a member of the Class of 1858 pays for tuition and fees, a false report of a war ending causes confusion, and more. August 7, 1842—An observer praises the graduating class for holding their farewell dinner without alcohol. “Friend” writes to the Daily National Intelligencer, “Such a…
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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 31-August 6
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a professor helps Albert Einstein get a message to the Roosevelt administration, an alum plans a celebration in honor of the new Constitution, and more. August 1, 1898—In a short article about Francis Cleveland having to smooth over hurt feelings when the children of college professors judged…
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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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