Page 16 - Howard University Medical Department A Historical Biographical

HOWARD UNIVERSITY. 3

T H E FO U N D IN G O F H O W ARD U N IV E R ­ and physiology in their relation to hy­
S IT Y , W A SH IN G T O N , D. C. giene. This was perhaps the first time
that physiology and anatomy were made
The history of the foundation of the a part of the curriculum of a theological
Howard University has been written a school; the suggestion came from Dr.
number of times. The best histories are Silas L. Loomis. The school was to be
the following: One by Wm. W. Patton, called Howard Theological Seminary, and
D. D., LL. D., who was President of the three instructors were appointed without
University from 1877 to 1890; it was salary, Rev. E. W. Robinson, Rev. D. B.
printed at the Industrial Department of Nichols and Dr. Silas L. Loomis. The
the University in 1896. The other con­ object was stated to be : “ The Educa­
sists of three papers which were read at tion of Colored Youth for the Ministry”.
the twenty-fifth anniversary of the foun­ Senators Samuel C. Pomeroy of Kansas,
dation, March 2, 1892. Of these three and Henry Wilson of Massachusetts were
papers one was by Rev. Dan forth B. present at the meeting. At the sugges­
Nichols, A. M., M. D , and entitled " The tion of Senator Pomeroy, the scope of the
Genesis of Howard University” ; another school was enlarged to include the pre­
by J. Eames Rankin, D. D., LL. D., who paration of teachers as well as ministers,
succeeded Patton as President; it was en­ and its name changed to " Theological
titled " The Presidents of Howard Univer­ and Normal Institute”. A committee
sity”. The third was by James B. John­ consisting of Senators Pomeroy and W il­
son, A. M., for many years Secretary and son and Hon. Burton C. Cooke, member
Treasurer of the University. These three of the House of Representatives, was ap­
papers were printed together in 1895 by pointed to procure a charter from Congress.
the University press. In view of these The first form of the charter was drawn
publications it is unnecessary in the pre­ by Senator Pomeroy. Afterward, at a
sent work to which I have been invited subsequent meeting, at Mr. Pomeroy’s
to contribute to give more than a short suggestion the Board decided to open the
paper on this subject, or to do other than doors of the Institution to both sexes and
make a very brief statement for the in­ all races. It was also voted, at my sug­
formation of those to whom the histories gestion, in time for the charter, to estab­
mentioned are not accessible. lish a University which should include,
The following incidents immediately besides the theological and normal de­
preceded and led up to the establishment partments first thought of, a department
of the University. On the evening of of law, another of medicine, and one of
November 17, 1866, at the monthly con­ agriculture ; also a preparatory and colle­
cert of the First Congregational Church giate department or departments. On
of Washington, held at Columbia Law January 8, 1867, on motion of Rev. D. B.
Building, opposite Judiciary Square, this Nichols, a vote was taken to call the
being one of the meeting places of the new Institution “ Howard University,” in
congregation, a prominent topic was the honor of myself and the part I had born
evangelization of the freedmen. On the in its inception and primary development.
20th, eleven members assembled at the This was done against my sincere protest.
residence of Mr. Henry A. Brewster, I thought I could do more for the Institu­
where the question was further considered, tion under any other name.
and a committee of three was appointed, At another meeting, held January 29
consisting of the pastor of the church, of the same year, some changes in the bill
Rev. Dr. Boynton, Rev. B. F. Morris and which had not yet become a law were
Rev. D. B. Nichols, to prepare and report suggested by myself, and a committee was
a plan in detail. The committee reported appointed, consisting of Dr. Boynton, Sen­
on December 4, recommending the open­ ator Wilson and myself, as chairman, to
ing of a night school in which instruc­ revise the bill for incorporation which
tion should be given in the evidences of had already been introduced in both
Christianity, biblical interpretation, bibli­ houses of Congress.
cal history and geography, and anatomy That bill as revised passed both houses