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History of the University of Wisconsin

by Reuben Gold Thwaites
1900


Reuben Gold Thwaites, historian extraordinaire and superintendent of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin (1887-1913), tells the story of the University of Wisconsin from territorial days to the close of the nineteenth century.


CHAPTER I.--IN TERRITORIAL DAYS. 1836-1848.
Ordinance of 1787
Academy grant sought
Territorial University established
First land-grant secured
First location of lands
Ahead of the times

CHAPTER II.--PRELIMINARY ORGANIZATION. 1848-1849.
State University incorporated
The problem of appraisement
Sacrifice of the lands to secure immigrants
First meeting of regents
Chancellor Lathrop chosen
Site chosen
Work of organization
Attractions of "College Hill."
The cabinet
Plan for normal instruction

CHAPTER III.--TIMES OF SMALL BEGINNINGS. 1849-1859.
The Chancellor arrives
Lathrop's inauguration
Preparatory department
Additions to the grounds
North dormitory built
Early discouragements
The first graduates
South dormitory built

CHAPTER IV.--IN STORM AND STRESS. 1854-1858.
A second land-grant
Reckless investment of fund
Attacks on the University
Reorganization favored
Professional schools on paper
Annual appropriations
University Hall built
Grounds of criticism
Case of the regents
Reorganization effected
Chancellor Barnard elected

CHAPTER V.--A HEADLESS UNIVERSITY. 1858-1866.
Great Expectations
Barnard too ill to be useful
A state of depression
Deeply in debt
The second reorganization
Barnard resigns
Students in the army
Embarrassments of the War period
Normal department inaugurated
Prejudice against "female students"
A rustic "chrysilis"
Early agricultural instruction
The Agricultural College Act
Locating the new land-grant
Financial stringency
Ineffective legislative relief
The third reorganization

CHAPTER VI.--THE DAWN OF PROSPERITY. 1866-1870.
Synopsis of reorganization act
Dane County purchases Experimental Farm
Co-education at Wisconsin University
Financial situation plainly slated
Secretary Allen's report
President Chadbourne's election
Still needing funds
Post-graduate course
Agricultural department established
Military instruction
On the road to success
Regents' report, 1868
Law School established
Regents' report, 1869
Ladies' Hall built
Dr. Chadbourne's resignation

CHAPTER VII.--TWOMBLY'S ADMINISTRATION. 1870-1874.
Report for 1870
The old "gym"
Continued financial stringency
College journalism
President Twombly elected
Report for 1871
Ladies' Hall opened
A plea for the land-grant
First tax levy
Raising the standard
Report for 1873
Resignation of Dr. Twombly

CHAPTER VIII.--FIRST HALF OF BASCOM'S ADMINISTRATION. 1874-1880.
Arrival of President Bascom
Critics converted
Lewis Prize instituted
Old Science Hall built
Medical College discussed
More money needed
Percentage tax levy, 1876
Wanted: an observatory
Lapham cabinet purchased
J. A. Johnson scholarships
Magnetic Observatory
A senatorial investigation
Washburn Observatory built
Building of Assembly Hall and Library
Improvement in faculty
Preparatory Department abolished

CHAPTER IX.--SECOND HALF OF BASCOM'S ADMINISTRATION. 1881-1887.
Progress at the University
University waterworks
Regents report, 1881
Presidents' report, 1881
University Hall renovated
Presidents' report, 1882
School of Pharmacy, and Experimental Station
Woodman Astronomical Library
Increased necessitites
Attempts to divert Agricultural College fund
Proper lines of growth
New Science Hall built
Farmers' Institutes established
Dr. Bascom resigns
His farewell report

CHAPTER X.--CHAMBERLIN'S ADMINISTRATION. 1887-1892.
Arrival of Dr. Chamberlin
The Hatch Act
Astronomical director
Summer School opened
President's house
Establishment of fellowships
President's report, 1888
New science buildings
Aid for mechanic arts
Ladies' Hall steam-heated
The president a regent
Reorganization, 1889
Supplementary Morrill Act
Regents' report, 1890
Presidents' report, 1890
Six years' tax levy
Hiram Smith Hall built
Law Building, Armory, and Boat House
University Extension adopted
School of Economics, Political Science, and History
Dr. Chamberlin resigns
His final report

CHAPTER XI.--FIRST YEAR OF ADAMS'S ADMINISTRATION. 1892-1895.
Inauguration of Dr. Adams
Legislative Appropriations, 1893
Camp Randall
Horticultural Hall
Progress on many lines
Summer School and University Extension
School of Pharmacy
Improvements needed
Financial necessities
Legislation of 1895
State Historical Library Building

CHAPTER XII.--THREE PROSPEROUS YEARS. 1895-1898.
President's report, 1896
College of Agriculture
School of Economics, Political Science, and History
School of Music
Coeducation
Summer School
University Extension
Relations with secondary schools
Grounds and buildings
Legislation of 1897
The University in the Spanish-American War
In the State semi-centennial

CHAPTER XIII.--AT THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY. 1897-1900.
Whence the students have emanated
College of Letters and Science
Economics, Political Science, and History
School of Music
Summer School
University Extension
Accredited schools
Dean of women
Changes in legislative method
College of Agriculture
College of Law
School of Pharmacy
Needs of the University
Appropriations for 1899
Percentage tax abolished
An unexpected check
New buildings in progress
The first summer session
Rapid growth
Retrospect