National University records
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
- Creation: 1872-1988
Creator
- National University (Washington, D.C.) (Organization)
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.
Subject
- George Washington University (Organization)
- National University (Washington, D.C.). Law School (Organization)
- 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
George Washington University Gelman Library
2130 H Street NW
Washington DC 20052 United States of America
speccoll@gwu.edu