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National University records

 Collection
Identifier: RG0123

Collection Scope and Content

This collection contains programs, yearbooks (The Docket), correspondence, student records and grades, agreements, minutes, Senate and House bills, Congressional Records, and published works. The materials cover the dates 1872-1988. With the bulk of the records falling within the date range 1900-42.

Dates

  • 1872-1988

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Some records may be restricted due to FERPA student regulations.

Restrictions on Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Some records in Series 3 are leather-bound. The bindings are fragile and should be handled with care. This series may also have student records which would be covered by FERPA.

Historical or Biographical Note

National University was incorporated by an Act of Congress in June 1869. Dr. William B. Wedgewood was the school's founder. Five presidents of the United States, Grant, Garfield, Hayes, Arthur and Cleveland have acted as Chancellor ex-efficio of the National University as an indication of the caliber of the men who directed the affairs in its formative years.

Although instruction was first given in several professional fields, including a Department of Medicine, the tendency as the years passed was toward the law. Law constituted the predominant branch of the University, but it should not be overlooked that National's School of Economics and Government conferred the degrees of AB, BS, BCS, and MCS.

Because of rapid growth and changing conditions it was found necessary to reorganize the University in 1896. A new charter was granted by a special Act of Congress, (129 Stat. L. 194), conferring the power to grant university degrees. The new incorporators were all men holding high and honored positions in the Federal Judicial service.

At the death of President Cleveland the Board of Regents abolished the office of Chancellor ex-efficio and elected Arthur McArthur (Grandfather of Douglas McArthur), then a justice on the District of Columbia Supreme Court bench as the first Chancellor. Other Chancellors of National University included: Samuel F. Miller, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Charles S. Hatfield, Justice of the United States Count of Customs and Patent Appeals and Leslie C. Garnett, a former Assistant Attorney General of the United States.

In 1954 the National University merged with The George Washington University forming what became the National Law Center at The George Washington University.

Extent

46.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Collection of programs, yearbooks, correspondence, student records and grades, agreements, minutes, Senate and House bills, Congressional Records, and published works. The materials cover the dates 1872-1988.

Collection Organization

Organized in three series: Two of Records, and Yearbooks.

Acquisition Information

The collection was acquired by the university in 1954 when National University merged with GW, with subsequent accretions by the office of the President before its transfer to University Archives in 1987.

Collection note

Many of the yearbooks, The Docket, were donated by Gunther L. Munter, who received his law degree from National University.

Title
Guide to the National University records, 1875-1988
Author
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2006
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
2130 H Street NW
Washington 20052 United States of America