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This Week in Princeton History for October 28-November 3
In this week’s installment in our recurring series, a writer claims strict rules mean fewer Southern students are enrolling, an underdog football team achieves a stunning victory, and more.
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My Travels with Darley
Last July I spent an hour with Darley Newman, a PBS travel documentarian who has one of the most enviable jobs in the world. She was in Princeton filming “New Jersey: Revolutionary Road Trip” for her Travels with Darley series, and her producer had reached out to me earlier to ask if I would be…
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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 October 10-16
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, Princeton has begun actively seeking Black applicants, a soldier reflects on the American Revolution, and more. October 10, 1964—The Chicago Defender expresses curiosity about what made Princeton University suddenly change course and begin actively recruiting Black students, noting its most recent report to secondary schools includes a…
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This Week in Princeton History for August 1-7
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, an alum encourages political revolution, a newspaper speculates on the reasons 32 Princeton students have flunked, and more. August 2, 1781—Preaching to “a large assembly,” James Power (Class of 1766) urges support for the American Revolution. “Think of ye cruel acts of ye British parliament,” he says,…
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This Week in Princeton History for December 14-20
In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, a protester finds tea in his shoes, potential abuse of women seeking abortions is causing concern, and more. December 16, 1773—Thomas Melville, Class of 1769, joins other protesters at the Boston Tea Party and…
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Dear Mr. Mudd: War, Epidemics, and Suspended Classes at Princeton
Q. Dear Mr. Mudd, Has Princeton University ever had to close the campus before? Or have a lot of students been displaced and had to leave and/or study at home for some other reason in the past? A. In 2020, Princeton University suspended residential instruction after Spring Break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was…
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This Week in Princeton History for January 20-26
In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the Graduate School reports increased diversity, gym users ask for protection from prying eyes, and more. January 20, 1949—At “the first 11:00 catharsis in 15 years,” students celebrate the end of final exams with…
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This Week in Princeton History for August 26-September 1
In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, Chinese students come together, dogs are banned on campus, and more. August 26, 1933—To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Continental Congress formally thanking George Washington for his conduct in the Revolutionary War, Nassau Hall…
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A Round Up of Princeton History for July 2-8 and Independence Day
The “Demystifying Mudd” series has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. We hope we can bring it to you next week. In the meantime, here is a round up of tidbits we’ve collected over the past several years to highlight events in Princeton University history for July 2-8 and some more in-depth looks at the…
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