The History of Brown University

The History of Brown University

Brown University has a history spanning 260 years since its founding. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this Ivy League university currently ranks 64th in the world and 6th in the U.S.. As the seventh oldest college in America, Brown has a rich history spanning multiple eras which you can find out more about in this guide.

The Founding of Brown University

Brown University was founded in 1764, originally known as the College of Rhode Island. 

Key Figures in the Establishment

In 1761, three Rhode Island residents petitioned the colony’s general assembly to open an institution for the instruction of young men in a range of subjects. These petitioners were Ezra Stiles (Newport’s pastor and future president of Yale University), William Ellery Jr. (future signer of the Declaration of Independence) and Josias Lyndon (future governor of the colony).

In 1763, a charter created by Stiles was signed and passed. As the university was being established, the Brown family gave a gift to the college which later inspired its renaming. The college opened in 1765 and the first president was appointed, James Manning who stayed in the role for 26 years.

Early Vision and Mission

Brown’s Charter was very progressive for its time. It was the first college in America to accept students regardless of their religious background or affiliation. Additionally, the charter stated a mission to instruct students in the ‘learned languages and the liberal arts and sciences’ which was interpreted to mean that law and business will not be taught which remains the case today.

Brown University in the Colonial and Revolutionary Eras

During the Revolutionary War, Brown University was in its infancy and focused on establishing a campus for the college, although the conflict did temporarily disrupt this. The Brown family was very influential in purchasing the land for the college and funding its construction, which began in 1770.

Academic and Political Influences

Early members of Brown University were active in their protest against British rule, for example, by wearing American manufactured clothes at their graduation to protest the British trade laws.

Brown University’s Contribution to the American Revolution

During the Revolutionary War, Brown’s halls were temporarily used to house revolutionary troops led by George Washington prior to the march of 1781. Additionally, many members involved in the founding of Brown University were heavily influential in the war effort, for example, Stephen Hopkins who signed the Declaration of Independence. Finally, some of Brown’s earliest graduates went on to fight in the revolutionary troops against the British.

Brown University in the 19th Century

The 19th century was a time of great expansion and academic development for Brown. A number of new schools were established and the campus was expanded, including the construction of three new buildings which now form the central campus.

Curriculum Reform and Expansion

In 1811, Brown organised the establishment of a medical programme, being the third institution in America to do so. In the 16 years of its teaching, 87 students graduated from the school before it was suspended. In 1847 Brown opened its engineering programme, which was the first to be established in the Ivy League. In 1873, the first African-American students were admitted into the engineering program. At the end of the century, in 1891, women began to be admitted to Brown under the Pembroke College, which later merged with the main college in 1971.

Brown University’s Role in the American Civil War

Compared to the Revolutionary War, Brown University was not at the forefront of the Civil War. However, life at Brown was still heavily affected by the conflict. After the attack on Fort Sumter, calls were made for volunteers to join the war effort and at least 400 students of Brown joined to fight.

Brown University in the 20th Century

In the 20th century, Brown underwent a radical curriculum change which introduced unprecedented freedom in what students were able to study and not study, known as an open curriculum. Brown’s medical school was also re-established in 1972, now known as Alpert Medical School.

Brown University During World War I & II

During WWI, Brown adopted a wartime curriculum as so many of the students were enlisted to serve in the military. Three buildings and halls were converted into barracks and the headquarters of the Student Army Training Corp was established. Following the war, the Soldiers Memorial Arch on campus was built to memorialise the 41 alumni and students who died during their service.

When the United States entered the second world war, the military training program on campus was re-established. Many members of the university left to join the fight, with 177 students giving up their lives in the war efforts. Additionally, some faculty stayed to support the war via academic means, such as Professor Charles Kraus who assisted in purifying uranium salts for atomic bomb research.

Brown University’s Influence in the 21st Century

In the 21st century, Brown University has had to confront some controversies in its past as well as tackle present-day tensions. Brown has also expanded its campus further and made changes to keep up with modern day technology.

The Integration of Technology

In 2013, Brown University began offering blended learning which involved online teaching in a variety of Master’s courses. Brown was one of the first universities to do this, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced teaching online for every institution.

Current Challenges

At the start of the century, a report was made to address Brown’s historical relationship to the slave trade. The Brown family, the university’s namesake, played a crucial role in the initial funding of the university, however, their wealth was accumulated through the slave trade. In response to the report, Brown spent $10 million establishing a ‘Fund for the Education of the Children of Providence’ and built a memorial to recognise Brown’s historical relations to the slave trade and memorialise both the enslaved and free African and African-Americans who were instrumental in the school’s construction.

In 2024, many student protests were held on campus in response to the Israel-Palestine conflict, calling for the university to disassociate from companies affiliated with Israel. Protests have led to a peaceful deal between the students and university, however some arrests were made earlier in the year.

Forward-thinking Initiatives

Brown has committed to becoming a sustainable institution and has managed to reduce its greenhouse emissions by 27% over 11 years. Additionally, the university has sold 90% of its fossil fuel investments and has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

In the next 10 years, Brown hopes to further develop its campus and strengthen its academic achievements and teaching excellence.

How to get into Brown

Looking to study at Brown University? Read our comprehensive guide to applying to Brown, How to get into Brown in 2024 .

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Sources

https://www.brown.edu

History of Brown University – Wikipedia 

Brown’s History: A Timeline | Brown University Timeline