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: