Posted by Karen A. Eberhart on May 8, 2012
This week, as we look forward to the 242nd Commencement, we provide you with a glimpse into the early days and struggles of this venerable institution to gain respect and scholars. During the first 3 years, 1764-1767, James Manning was not only the first President but also the only faculty member. The first commencement was held in 1769 at which time 7 young men graduated and 21 men of distinction were awarded Honorary Degrees. On November 12, 1772, James Manning wrote to his friend John C. Ryland in England with the happy news that John C. Ryland, Junior had received his degree from Rhode Island College that same spring. He also took the opportunity to comment on the political situation affecting the ability of the school to attract students.
James Manning to John C. Ryland, 12 Nov 1772, James Manning papers, MS-1C-1, Brown University Archives
“With this I send you a Catalogue of those who have received the honours of the College, from the first [to] our last Commencement, I believe, acquired us considerable Reputation amongst the Literate in N. England and had we not to combat with the inveterate Enmity of the N. England Clergy, it would have added to the Number of our Scholars, but they take unwearied pains to prevent any from coming, if possible, and don’t [?] at the Methods of carrying their Points: but, thank God, they don’t govern the World.”
James Manning was clearly able to overcome the clergy that worked against him. A total of 40,244 scholars applied to be admitted to Brown University for the 2011-2012 academic year. Of that number a total of 8,454 students began their studies in September 2011. James Manning would no doubt be flabbergasted by those numbers and extremely pleased.
You can learn more about James Manning’s experience as the first President of Brown University by visiting the Guide to the James Manning Papers (MS-1C-1). Digital copies of all his correspondence can be viewed by clicking on the link for each item in the inventory.
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Posted by Jennifer Betts on May 5, 2012
May 3 – June 29, 2012
John Hay Library
The exhibit chronicles the experiences of women during their years on campus and beyond. Drawing on materials from the University Archives, Christine Dunlap Farnham Archives, and Feminist Theory Archives, the exhibit illustrates the evolution of women’s education at Brown. On display are photographs, letters, papers, published materials, and artifacts that narrate personal reflections of women at Brown and the University policies that shaped their lives on campus over the past twelve decades.
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Posted by Jennifer Betts on February 21, 2012
Are you in the midst of researching a paper and don’t know how to begin using sources in the University Archives? Register for University Archives Orientation on Wednesday, March 7 at 4 pm in the John Hay Library. This course will explain how to navigate the University Archives’ resources through the use of paper and online sources. A selection of resources from various collections will be on display in the Lownes Room of the John Hay Library.
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Posted by Jennifer Betts on February 6, 2012
The University Archives’ public space is closed for a renovation project. Please contact the Archives staff for access to archival materials or for research assistance: archives@brown.edu. Researchers will need to request in advance the Brown Daily Herald, Brown Alumni Monthly, and yearbooks.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time. Please contact us with any questions you have regarding the University Archives: archives@brown.edu or (401) 863-2148.
Posted in Announcements, Renovation, University Archives & History | Comments Off
Posted by Jennifer Betts on November 4, 2011
Brown University traces its origins to 1764 with the granting of the Charter by the Rhode Island General Assembly. The founding was promoted by Reverend Morgan Edwards, moderator of the Philadelphia Baptist Association, in 1762. Under Edward’s leadership, Rhode Island was selected as a likely site, since the colony had been settled by Baptists, was still largely governed by Baptists, and had no college. A representative of the Association, James Manning, visited Newport in July 1763, where he met with “about 15 gentlemen of the same denomination” at the home of Deputy Governor John Gardner. The plan for a college was immediately accepted and in August, 1763, a Charter was presented to the General Assembly in Newport. After postponement, a different charter was presented at subsequent sessions and granted on March 2 and 3, 1764, for the “College or University in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.” James Manning went on to become the first president of Brown University, often referred to as “Rhode Island College” until 1804.
Primary sources:
Rhode Island College miscellaneous papers, MS-1C-1 (contains digitized materials)
James Manning papers, MS-1E-1 (contains digitized materials)
Secondary sources:
Guild, Reuben Aldridge. Early History of Brown University: Including the Life, Times, and Correspondence of President Manning. 1756-1791. Providence: [Printed by Snow & Farnham], 1897.
Bronson, Walter C. The History of Brown University, 1764-1914. Providence: Published by the University [Brown University], 1914.
Brown, Robert Perkins, et al. Memories of Brown: Traditions and Recollections Gathered From Many Sources. Providence, R.I.: Brown Alumni Magazine, 1909.
“Founding”, Encyclopedia Brunoniana
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Posted by Jennifer Betts on May 5, 2011
Seeing Ourselves, Showing Ourselves: Brown’s Culture on Display
May 3 - June/July, 2011
Haffenreffer Museum (Manning Hall)
Students from Brown’s Public Humanities program have curated an intriguing exhibit of museum objects from the University Archives. The exhibit explores how objects, artifacts, and documents represent students’ experiences on campus.
The Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology: http://brown.edu/Facilities/Haffenreffer/index.html
The John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage: http://www.brown.edu/Research/JNBC/index.html
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Posted by Jennifer Betts on March 25, 2011
How do I search for a thesis?
To locate an undergraduate or master’s thesis:
- Go to Josiah (http://josiah.brown.edu/search/)
- Select Call Number
- Change the type of call number to Other Brown Call Numbers
- Search for the call number:
- Honors thesis: 1-N HO
- Master’s thesis: 1-N M
- If you are trying to locate a thesis from a particular year, search for the call number with the year:
- Honors thesis: 1-N HO YYYY
- Master’s thesis: 1-N MYYYY
All theses are stored off-site unless they contain Brown University content. Select Request This to have a thesis sent to the John Hay Library and placed on reserve in your name.
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Posted by Jennifer Betts on March 21, 2011
Learn about the University Archives’ diverse collection of museum objects and how it supplements the printed record.
Join University Archives staff to enjoy a tangible glimpse of the lives of students, alumni, and faculty.
March 22, 2011, at noon
Lownes Room, John Hay Library
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Posted by Peter Harrington on February 21, 2011
In 1863, the German history painter, Emanuel Leutze (1816-1868), celebrated for his 1850 painting of Washington crossing the Delaware, completed a large portrait of General Ambrose Burnside at the Battle of Antietam. This was one of a series of Union commanders that the artist planned to paint but it appears that only this painting and one 
depicting General Grant in his tent were actually completed.
The painting depicts the general standing in uniform just before the capture of the Stone Bridge during the Battle of Antietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862. His left hand rests on the hilt of a sword presented to him by the people of the state. Completed early the following year from life and exhibited with some fanfare at the annual exhibition of the Boston Athenaeum in May, the huge canvas measuring 11 feet by 8 feet, was presented to Brown University on August 26th, 1863 through John R. Bartlett acting on behalf of various friends of the university who subscribed a total of $1,675 for its purchase. These included such distinguished luminaries as John Carter Brown, Robert and Thomas Ives, Governor William Sprague and his brother Amasa, former Governor Elisha Dyer, future Governor Henry Lippitt, and Republican Senator, Thomas A. Jenckes. Each gave between $50 and $100.
Unfortunately the large dimensions of the framed canvas meant that it was too large for many of the buildings on the
campus. Some places were considered such as Rogers Hall, Manning Hall, the John Hay Library, Faunce House and the John Carter Brown Library, and eventually it was hung in the balcony of Sayles Hall as can be seen in the photograph taken prior to the installation of the organ in 1903. Thereafter it was moved to the Engineering Building but in 1938, it was decided to present it to the Rhode Island Statehouse on permanent loan. Today, it hangs at the end of a side corridor on the first floor outside the Office of the Senate President (Room 117). A study for the painting is in the Redwood Library, Newport.
Today, it hangs at the end of a side corridor on the first floor outside the Office of the Senate President (Room 117). A study for the painting is in the Redwood Library, Newport.
References:
Reuben Aldridge Guild. History of Brown University, with Illustrative Documents. Providence, 1867, pp. 291-292.
Barbara S. Groseclose. Emanuel Leutze, 1816-1868. Washington, D.C., National Collection of Fine Arts, 1975, page 234.
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Posted by Jennifer Betts on November 11, 2010
Induction into service, Faunce House, Oct 1918
In November 1919 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” The cessation of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany occurred on November 11, 1918, the end of “the war to end all wars.” World War 1 official ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles several months later.
Main Green, World War 1
During World War I Brown University adopted a wartime curriculum since the majority of students were enlisted men on active service. University buildings were transformed to reflect this curriculum: Hope College and University, Maxcy, and Caswell Halls were turned into barracks; the first floor of Rockefeller Hall was a mess hall; Rhode Island Hall was the headquarters of the Student Army Training Corps; and the first floor of Manning Hall was the headquarters of the Naval Unit. According to statistics published in 1919 by the War Records Committee, 1,974 alumni, faculty, and students were in military service during World War I. The Soldiers Memorial Arch was dedicated on April 6, 1921, to the memory of the 41 alumni and students and one faculty member who died in service during the war.
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