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Caught Between Tradition and Transformation: Princeton University’s Black Athletes in 1985
Princeton University is an institution self-consciously steeped in tradition, sometimes to an extent that even relatively recent innovations can feel like they’ve been going on for centuries. Yet it has also tried to break free of traditions that have not served it well, like discriminatory admissions policies. Holding these things in tension with one another…
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This Week in Princeton History for January 31-February 6
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the matriculation process is explained, local women report on their efforts to keep students from drinking, and more. February 2, 1845—A letter to the editor of the Baltimore Sun explains what it is like for a new student at Princeton: When he arrives[,] he look[s] round, well…
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This Week in Princeton History for January 24-30
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, an alum urges Americans to put the Civil War behind them in order to defeat a new mutual enemy, the local newspaper advocates scrapbooking, and more. January 24, 1817—The New York Commercial Advertiser reports that students at Princeton “are in a state of revolt.” January 25, 1764—Around…
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This Week in Princeton History for January 17-23
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, heavy snow holds up the mail, the McCosh family host a party for students, and more. January 17, 1995—Paul Muldoon, director of the Creative Writing Program, wins the T. S. Eliot Prize for Poetry. January 18, 1796—Israel Crane (Class of 1797) complains to the faculty that “Mr.…
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This Week in Princeton History for January 10-16
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a sophomore travels to Washington to call his family in Togo, bicycles are banned on town streets, and more. January 10, 1912—In response to an article by William Bayard Hale in The World’s Work that claimed to reveal the “inside story” of Princeton, the Princeton Alumni Weekly…
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This Week in Princeton History for January 3-9
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a battle reenactment goes a bit awry, a professor is called upon to study the problem of mendicant visitors, and more. January 3, 1877—The Newark and Pennsylvania militia reenact the Battle of Princeton as part of its centennial celebration. They are hampered in part by some of…
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This Week in Princeton History for December 27-January 2
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, a Hoboken woman endows a professorship in mathematics, Congress faces criticism for tariffs on books imported for higher education, and more. December 29, 1823—The Trenton Federalist expresses shock that any newspaper “should publish such extravagant reports as are stated in some of the Philadelphia papers respecting the…
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This Week in Princeton History for December 20-26
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the son of the Mississippi governor’s presence becomes controversial, prominent professors oppose fallout shelters, and more. December 22, 1821—The New Hampshire Sentinel reports that the will of Elias Boudinot has left a portion of his estate to Princeton. The institution will use the gifts as follows: $10,000…
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This Week in Princeton History for December 13-19
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, an NAACP official’s lecture meets with a polarized reception, Jean Shepherd first appears on campus, and more. December 13, 1813—John Randolph (Class of 1791) accuses John Witherspoon of having embezzled money from him when he was a student and derides the education he was given at Princeton:…
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This Week in Princeton History for December 6-12
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, an ad invites students to participate in an experiment, Princeton pledges all of its resources to government, and more. December 6, 1875—As the United States approaches its Centennial year, former Senator and future Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz lectures to students on the positives and problems…
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