Franklin and Marshall College

Franklin and Marshall College is a four-year private co-educational liberal arts college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It is the 25th oldest college or university in the United States.

History of Marshall College (19th Century)

Having grown from a Reformed Church academy, Marshall College, opened in 1836 in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. The school was named for the fourth Chief Justice of the United States John Marshall, who had died the previous year. It was founded with the belief that harmony between knowledge and will was necessary to create a well-rounded person.

Related Topics:
Reformed Church - 1836 - Mercersburg, Pennsylvania - Chief Justice of the United States - John Marshall

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During its first year, 18 students were taught by Frederick Augustus Rauch and his assistant, Samuel A. Budd. Rauch, an acclaimed young scholar and theologian from Germany who authored the first American textbook in psychology, also served as the College?s president.

Related Topics:
Germany - Psychology

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The school's small, but brilliant faculty grew in both size and status with the addition of John Williamson Nevin and another German scholar, church historian Philip Schaff. Nevin became the college?s president upon Rauch?s sudden death in 1841.

Related Topics:
John Williamson Nevin - Philip Schaff

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Life at Marshall College was well-regimented. Students were required to attend morning prayers--sometimes as early as 5 a.m.--and were expected to study in their rooms for six hours a day. In addition, they were forbidden to associate with people of questionable moral character.

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Marshall College quickly gained national recognition and attracted students from a large geographical area, with some coming as far away as the West Indies. However, despite being initially well-funded, Marshall College began to experience financial difficulties of its own. By the late 1840s, financial support and enthusiasm among the local community had virtually disappeared and the school was in danger of closing its doors for good.

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