Georgetown University
Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, "is the
oldest Catholic literary establishment in the United States. It
was founded immediately after the Revolutionary War, by the
incorporated Catholic Clergy of Maryland, who selected from their
Body Trustees, and invested them with full power to choose a
President and appoint Professors. Since the year 1805, it has been
under the direction of Society of Jesus" (The Laity's Directory,
1822).
Origin and Founder
In treating of the origin of Geogetown University, its chronicles
and historians are wont to refer to earlier schools in Maryland,
projected or carried on by the Jesuits. It is true that Father
Ferdinand Poulton, a few years after the settlement of St. Mary's,
wrote to the general of the society about the prospects of
founding a college in the infant colony; and the general answered,
in 1640: "The hope held out of a college I am happy to entertain;
and, when it shall have matured, I will not be backward in
extending my approval". But the times were not favourable. The
laws against Catholic education and educators were so stringent
during the greater part of the Maryland colonial period that it
was only at intervals, for brief spaces of time, and by stealth,
that the Jesuits, always solicitous for the education of youth,
were able to conduct a school. Such a school was at Bohemia, in
Cecil County; it numbered among its scholars John Carroll, the
founder of Georgetown College. He is the link, moral and personal,
between Georgetown and earlier schools; and with his name the
history of Georgetown College is indissolubly connected. He had a
large share in its foundation and upbringing, and the sons of
Georgetown, to honour his memory, have formally instituted the
observance of "Founder's Day", in January of each year. Even
before he became the first bishop of the United States, he saw and
impressed upon his former brethren of the Society of Jesus the
urgent need of a Catholic College. Having secured their
cooperation, he drew up the plan of the institution and issued a
prospectus appealing to his friends in England for financial
assistance. It was he who selected the site; and--although unable
to give personal supervision to the undertaking, burdened as he
was with the solicitude of all the churches--he watched with
paternal interest over the early growth of the college. Georgetown
still possesses his portrait, by Gilbert Stuart, relics from his
birthplace at Upper Marlborough, the manuscript of his course in
theology, the Missal which he used when a rural missionary at Rock
Creek, the attestation of his consecration as bishop at Lulworth
Castle, the circular which he issued detailing the plan and scope
of the college, and many letters, original or copied, relating to
its standing and prospects.
In 1889 the college celebrated with befitting pomp the hundredth
anniversary of its foundation. Georgetown, in 1789, was the chief
borough of Montgomery County, Maryland. Father Carroll selected it
for the site of the academy, influenced, no doubt, by a knowledge
of the locality acquired during his missionary excursions. In
speaking of the present site, he describes it as "one of the most
lovely situations that imaginations can frame". The first
prospectus says: "in the choice of Situation, Salubrity of Air,
Convenience of Communication, and Cheapness of Living have been
principally consulted, and Gerogetown offers these united
advantages". In regard to the "Salubrity of Air", it is
significant that the college records show the first death among
the students to have occurred in 1843. In 1784, Father carroll was
appointed prefect-Apostolic or superior, of the Church in the
United States. In 1785 he wrote to his friend, Father Charles
Plowden, in England: "The object nearest my heart now, and the
only one that can give consistency to our religious views in this
country, is the establishment of a school, and afterwards a
Seminary for young clerymen." At a meeting of the clergy, held at
White Marsh, in 1786, he presented a detailed plan of a school,
and recommended the site which had impressed him so favourably.
The clergy sanctioned the project, adopted a series of "Resolves
concerning the Institution of a School", and directed the sale of
a piece of land belonging to the corporation, in order that the
proceeds might be applied to the erection of the first building.
The Reverends John Carroll, James Pellentz, Robert Molyneux, John
Ashton, and Leonard Neale were appointed directors. In 1788, the
first building was undertaken. The work proceeded slowly, from
want of funds, and 1789 is considered to be the year of the
foundation of the college, as the deed of the original piece of
ground was dated 23 January of that year. The land--one and a half
acres--was acquired by purchase, for the sum of 75 pounds, current
money. The "Old Building", as it was called, was not ready for
occupancy until 1791; it was removed in 1904, to make way for Ryan
Hall.
In its material growth the college has expanded from the solitary
academic structure of early days into the clustering pile that
crowns the ancient site. Among its oldest constructions are:
� the North Building (begun 1791, completed 1808),
� the Infirmary (1831-1848),
� the Mulledy Building (1831),
� the Observatory (1843),
� the Maguire Building (1854),
� the Healy, or Main, Building (1879),
� the Dahlgren Chapel (1893),
� the Ida M. Ryan Hall (1905), and
� the Ryan Gymnasium (1908).
To the original classical academy have been added, as opportunity
arose or expediency prompted, the astronomical observatory, in
1843; the medical school, in 1851; the law school, in 1870; the
university hospital, in 1898; the dental school, in 1901; the
training school for nurses, in 1903.
Since 1805, when the Society of Jesus was restored in Maryland,
Georgetown has been a Jesuit College, with the traditions, the
associations, courses of study, and methods of instruction which
the name implies. Until 1860 the Superior of the Mission and
Provincial of Maryland generally resided at the college; the
novitiate was there for some years; and it was the provincial
house of higher studies for philosophy and theology, during the
greater part of the period preceding the opening of Woodstock
Scholasticate, in 1869. Naturally, under such conditions, the
college exercised considerable influence upon the religious
development of the country and Catholic progress in the early
days. The first three Archbishops of Baltimore had intimate
relations with it: Carroll, as founder; Neale, as president; and
Marechal, as professor. Bishop Dubourg of New Orleans was
president; the saintly Bishop Flaget, of Bardstown, was professor;
as also Bishop Vandevelde of Chicago. Bishops Carrell of Covington
and O'Hara of Scranton were students. Bishop Benedict J. Fenwick,
of Boston, one of the first students at Georgetown, and afterwards
professor and president, founded the college of the Holy Cross, at
Worcester, Mass., a direct offshoot of Georgetown. The Rev. Enoch
Fenwick, S.J., president, had a large share in building the
cathedral of Baltimore. Bishop Neale founded the Visitation Order
in America. Fathers James Ryder and Bernard A. Maguire,
presidents, were distinguished pulpit orators. Father Anthony
Kohlmann, president, was a profound theologian, and his work,
"Unitarianism Refuted", is a learned contribution to controversial
literature. Father Camillus Mazzella, afterwards Cardinal, is
famous as a dogmatic theologian. Father James Curley, in a modest
way, promoted astronomical science; the renowned Father Secchi was
for a time connected with the observatory, as was also Father John
Hagen, now Director of the Vatican Observatory. Georgetown has
exerted its influence on education and morals indirectly through
various other colleges that have sprung from it, and directly by
the host of its own alumni, nearly five thousand in number, many
of them distinguished in every walk of life.
Upon the opening of the college, in 1791, the first name upon the
Register is that of William Gaston of North Carolina, who, despite
the constitutional disqualifications of Catholics in his native
State, represented it in Congress, and rose to its Supreme Bench.
The number of students enrolled in 1792 was 66; on the opening day
of 1793, 47 new students entered. This was a promising beginning,
but growth was slow, and for several years following there was
even a falling off. In 1813 the boarders numbered 42; the average
for the preceding ten years had been 25. The century mark (101)
was reached for the first time in 1818; the highest number (317)
in 1859. The majority of the students at that period were from the
Southern States, and the breaking out of the Civil War caused a
rapid exodus of young men from classroom to camp. There were only
120 registered in 1862.
The printed prospectus of 1798, issued by by Rev. Wm. Dubourg
(president, 1796-99), furnishes the details of the studies pursued
at that date, and holds forth promise of an enlarged course. This
promise was fulfilled under his immediate successor, Bishop
Leonard Neale (president, 1799-1806). In 1801, there were seven
members of a senior class, studying logic, metaphysics, and
ethics. Father John Grassi ( president, 1812-17) infused new life
into the administration of the college: he promoted the study of
mathematics and secured the necessary apparatus for teaching the
natural sciences. During his term of office, the power to grant
degrees was conferred by Act of Congress, March 1, 1815, the bill
being introduced by Georgetown's proto-alumnus, a member from
North Carolina. This power was first exercised in 1817. The formal
incorporation of the institution was effected by Act of Congress
in 1844, under the name and title of "The President and Directors
of Georgetown College". By this Act the powers granted in 1815
were increased. The Holy See empowered the college, in 1833, to
confer in its name degrees in philosophy and theology.
The Rev. Robert Plunket was chosen to be the first president. The
corporation defrayed the expenses of his passage from England to
America. He entered upon his duties in 1791, served for two years,
and was succeeded by Father Robert Molyneux, who became the first
superior of the restored Society in Maryland, and held the
presidency of the college for a second term at the time of his
death, in 1808. The school began with very elementary classes, but
the original plan contemplated a rounded academic course, and
gradually the standard of classes was raised, and their number
increased. Some of the assistant teachers were aspirants to Holy
orders, and a class in theology was formed. In 1808, four of this
class were elevated to the priesthood, Benedict Fenwick, Enoch
Fenwick, Leonard Edelen, and John Spink, the first members of the
Society of Jesus to be ordained in the United States.
Present Status
Georgetown University consists of the college, the school of
medicine, the school of dental surgery, and the school of law.
Clinical instruction is given in the University Hospital, which is
in charge of the Sisters of St. Francis, and has a training school
for nurses attached. Post-graduate courses of study are carried on
in the law and medical schools, and are offered in the college.
The college grounds comprise 78 acres, a large part of whch is
occupied by "The Walks", famous for their woodland scenery. The
hospital is in close proximity to the college; the law and medical
schools are in the heart of the city. The Riggs Memorial Library
contains many rare and curious works, early imprints, and ancient
manuscripts. Among the special libraries incorporated in the Riggs
is that of the historian, Dr. J. Gilmary Shea, valuable for
American and Indian languages. The smaller Hirst Library is for
the use of the students of the undergraduate school. There are
also special libraries for the post-graduate course, for the
junior students, and for Maryland colonial research. The Coleman
Museum is a large hall in which are displayed various collections;
here three thousand specimens illustrate the whole field of
mineralogy, while in geology and palaeontology there are excellent
collections. Mosaics, curious in great variety make the museum one
of the most interesting institutions of this kind. The College
Archives are deposited in a spacious fire-proof vault, well
lighted and ventilated. Connected with the archives, there is a
hall for the exhibition of Missals, chalices, vestments, bells,
and other memorials of the early Jesuit missions of Maryland.
Gaston Hall, where commencement and other exercises are held, owes
its artistic ornamentation and finish to the liberality of the
Alumni Association. The Philodemic Debating Society Room is
decorated with the portraits of distinguished graduates and
college worthies. The College Journal and literary and scientific
societies furnish opportuinty for mental improvement; the Sodality
of the Blessed Virgin, which is the oldest in the United States,
helps to piety. The Athletic Association encourages sport and
promotes physical training by means of the gymnasium, ball clubs,
boat clubs, etc. The spirit of loyalty towards Alma Mater is
fostered by the national Society of Alumni and by the local
societies of New York, Philadelphia, Northeastern Pennsylvania,
the Pacific Coast, Wisconsin, and the Georgetown University Club
of New England.
E.J. DEVITT
Transcribed by Joseph P. Thomas
Dedicated to Dr. Cyriac Pullapilly
From the Catholic Encyclopedia, copyright � 1913 by the
Encyclopedia Press, Inc. Electronic version copyright � 1996 by
New Advent, Inc.
Taken from the New Advent Web Page (www.knight.org/advent).
This article is part of the Catholic Encyclopedia Project, an
effort aimed at placing the entire Catholic Encyclopedia 1913
edition on the World Wide Web. The coordinator is Kevin Knight,
editor of the New Advent Catholic Website. If you would like to
contribute to this worthwhile project, you can contact him by e-
mail at (knight.org/advent). For more information please download
the file cathen.txt/.zip.
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