Washington University in St Louis

Varsity Sports — Francis Field

History & Fun Facts

• •Louis 19th century Founding and early years William Greenleaf Eliot, first president of the board of trustees Washington University was founded in 1853 by 17 St.
• •The subcommittee proposed Washington Institute, in honor of George Washington, the nation's first president, as the charter had been granted on his birthday, February 22.
• •In 1856, the board officially amended the name to Washington University.
• •Growth and expansion Chartered as a university, it initially functioned primarily as a night school and did not have buildings, faculty, or established course offerings.
• •Classes began on October 22, 1854, in the Benton Schoolhouse, a facility loaned by the public school board, which also covered utility costs and installed gas lighting for evening instruction.