College of William and Mary

The College of William and Mary in Virginia is a public, liberal-arts university located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Founded in 1693 and named in honor of King William III and Queen Mary II, it is the second-oldest university in the United States (Harvard, founded in 1638, is the oldest). At the request of the House of Burgesses and the Reverend Dr. James Blair, the commissary (or representative) of the Church of England in Virginia, it was founded in the Virginia Colony in 1693 by royal charter issued by the monarchs of England.

Training America's Early Leaders

William & Mary is in the prestigious league of Presidential alma maters. Three of the earlier U.S. Presidents (Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Tyler) were educated at William and Mary and a fourth, George Washington, received his surveyor's certificate from the College. George Washington was appointed one of the College's first Chancellors in 1788 and served continuously until his death in 1799. The College also educated two U.S. Supreme Court Justices, John Marshall and Bushrod Washington. John Marshall went on to become the fourth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and is famous for creating the doctrine of judicial review -- considered particularly influential for shaping the early powers of the Supreme Court.

Related Topics:
Presidential alma maters - Thomas Jefferson - James Monroe - John Tyler - George Washington - Chancellor - 1799 - U.S. Supreme Court - John Marshall - Bushrod Washington - Chief Justice - Supreme Court - Judicial review

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