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Washington Square

Washington Square
University Charter

University Charter
First Classes

First Classes
Albert Gallatin

Albert Gallatin
University Seal

University Seal
University Building

University Building
First Faculty

First Faculty
Chancellor Mathews

Chancellor Mathews
First Commencement

First Commencement
Fraternities

Fraternities
Samuel F.B. Morse

Samuel F.B. Morse
Early Photography

Early Photography
Law School

Law School
Hanging Tree

Hanging Tree
College of Medicine

College of Medicine
Henry James

Henry James
Early Housing

Early Housing
Edgar Allen Poe

Edgar Allan Poe
New-York Historical Society

New-York Historical Society
Theodore Frelinghuysen

Theodore Frelinghuysen

1830
Oct 18: Election of Albert Gallatin, former Secretary of the Treasury under Jefferson and Madison, as first President of the Council of the University of the City of New-York.

1831
Apr: Founding and incorporation of the University of the City of New-York, as NYU was known until 1896.

1832
Jul: Construction begins on the first permanent building of NYU, known as the University Building, designed by architect Alexander J. Davis and located on Washington Square Park East.

Sep 26: Inauguration of Chancellor Rev. James M. Mathews and first faculty.

Oct 1: Instruction begins for students of NYU.

1835
School of Law established.

First fraternities (Alpha Delta Phi and Sigma Phi) founded.

1839
Mar 18: Council elects Theodore Frelinghuysen Chancellor.

Jul 15: First Alumni Oration delivered.

1841
Oct 1: College of Medicine opens. Committed to strengthening the education of America’s physicians, original faculty of the school includes John Revere, son of patriot Paul Revere, and Valentine Mott, the foremost New York surgeon of his day.

1850-1869 >
175 Years Logo

Read "Urban Dream," an article about NYU's history featured in the Spring 2006 NYU Magazine.