Dates

• Existence: 1818-

Biography

The latest history of the University is William B. Faherty's Better the Dream; Saint Louis: University and Community, 1818-1968, published by Saint Louis University in 1968. Faherty's bibliography is helpful and mentions two other lengthy histories of the school: Walter H. Hill's Historical Sketch of the St. Louis University; The Celebration of Its Fiftieth Anniversary or Golden Jubilee, on June 24, 1879 (St. Louis: Fox, 1879); and Memorial Volume of the Diamond Jubilee of St. Louis University, 1829-1904, published in 1904. The latter contains fascinating sketches of University presidents and alumni as well as accounts of student organizations such as the Philalethic Society and of the University departments.

A shorter history of the University was compiled by William H.W. Fanning and published as "Historical Sketch of the St. Louis University" in Vol. 4, No. 5 (mistakenly numbered No. 4) of the University Bulletin (December 1908). A brief history of the early Medical Department is contained in the Centennial Volume of the Saint Louis Medical Society under the title "Historical Sketch of the First Medical Department of St. Louis University, 1835-1856" by Louis C. Boisliniere Jr. (pages 63-66+).

A pictorial history of the University is Saint Louis University: 150 Years by Rita G. Adams, William C. Einspanier, and B.T. Lukaszewski, published around the same time as Faherty's book.

The University Catalogues and Bulletins also contain much contemporary information on courses of study, student organizations, and the lives of boarders and day students. These volumes include period photographs of the campus.

There appears to be no published chronology offering a thumbnail sketch of University history. Following is a list of significant dates in the University story.

1818--Louis William DuBourg, Bishop of Louisiana, founds St. Louis College, in reality an academy, or high school, of the day. The College of Arts and Sciences dates from this year.

1829--the Society of Jesus establishes a new Saint Louis College at 9th and Washington, subsuming the old academy.

1832--Saint Louis University is chartered, becoming the first university to be established west of the Mississippi River. The Graduate School dates from this year. The first student organization on campus, the speech club or Philalethic Society, is also set up.

1836--the first Medical Department is established, but lapses in 1840. It is revived in 1842 but severs its connection with the University in 1855.

1840--Bishop Rosati lays the cornerstone for the first St. Francis Xavier (College) Church at 9th and Christy.

1842--the Law School is founded, but classes end in 1847.

1884--Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia lays the cornerstone for the new St. Francis Xavier (College) Church at Grand and Lindell.

1888--the University moves from its old location at 9th and Washington to its present quarters at Grand and Lindell.

1889--the College of Philosophy and Letters is founded to prepare students for the Catholic priesthood.

1903--the University takes over Marion-Sims-Beaumont Medical College and forms the Saint Louis technology is founded. This year, too, Black students are admitted to the University, making it the first White school in the city at any level to allow Blacks to matriculate.

1946--Parks College affiliates with the University. The college opened in 1927.

1979--the School of Allied Health Professions is established.

1991--the School of Public Health is founded.

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