PREFACE. THIS historical sketch of Columbia College and its associate Schools was prepared at the request of the National Bureau of Education in Washington. The history from the foundation of the college to the year 1845 is essentially that written by the former President, Dr. N. F. Moore, and printed in 1846. For the period from 1845 to 1869, the chief source of information was a continuation of Dr. Moore's history by Rev. Beverley R. Betts, Librarian of the College. The article on the School of Law was furnished by Professor T. W. Dwight, Warden of the School; that on the School of Mines was obtained from documents issued by the School, from the records, and from information furnished by the several Professors; that on the School of Medicine was taken mainly from the historical sketch of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, N. Y., which appeared in the general catalogue of that college published in 1866. The article on the College Library is the article on “Columbia College Library,” by the late Librarian, W. A. Jones, Esq., published in the University Quarterly for January, 1871, as abridged and revised for this sketch by Professor Drisler; that on library of the School of Mines was prepared by Mr. John F. Meyer, Librarian and Registrar of the School. The article on Cabinets and Collections was compiled from inventories of the several departments in the hands of the Treasurer, and from information obtained of professors in charge. The Financial Statement is from the last annual report of the Board of Trustees to the Regents of the University of the State of New York, for the year ending Sept. 30, 1875. Such parts of the Sketch as have not been accounted for in the above statement, have for their authority documents issued by the college and its several schools, and the resolutions of the Board of Trustees. In an Appendix will be found the original charter of the college and the Acts of the Legislature of the State of New York relating to the college. J. H. VAN AMRINGE. COLUMBIA COLLEGE, N. Y., July, 1876. NOTE. THE statement on pages 49, 50, that the annuity of £750, granted by the State for five years, was discontinued on the expiration of that period, is a mistake. Before the expiration of the period named in the first Act, a second Act was passed continuing the annuity for a further term of two years. On page 73, in mentioning the division of certain chairs, it should be noted that, at the same time, the chair of the Greek and Latin Languages was divided into two, viz. that of the Greek Language and Literature, which Professor Anthon retained, and that of the Latin Language and Literature, to which adjunct Professor Drisler was promoted. : To the statement on page 80 that the chair of Constitutional History and Public Law has not been filled since the death of Dr. Lieber, should be added that, in the spring of 1876, the chair of History, Political Science, and International Law was created, and Professor John W. Burgess, A. M., elected to fill it. A similar statement should be added in the account of the Law School on page 84. |