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This Week in Princeton University History for February 1-7


In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, Paramount Pictures pulls a movie over collegiate protest, Eleanor Roosevelt is on campus, and more.

February 1, 1929—Under pressure from Princeton University’s president, John Grier Hibben, Paramount Pictures withdraws Varsity, a controversial movie set and filmed on the Princeton campus. It is the last day moviegoers will be able to see it.

Varsity_Letter_p.1._AC109_Box394_F7
First page of a letter written to John Grier Hibben by Eleanor H. Boyd, November 16, 1928. Historical Subject Files (AC109), Box 394, Folder 7.

February 3, 1944—First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt urges students at Princeton University to play a role in America’s involvement in world affairs at a meeting of the Princeton Roundtable in Alexander Hall.

February 4, 1761—Just a few years after the untimely death of Jonathan Edwards, College of New Jersey (Princeton) president Samuel Davies dies at the age of 38. The Boston Gazette attributes his “sudden and unexpected Death” to “a violent Inflammatory Fever, which greatly affected his Brain.”

Boston_Gazette_1761
Clipping from Boston Gazette, February 16, 1761.

February 6, 1885—The Princetonian suggests that Vassar and Smith’s students form clubs to cook for Princeton students, who will in turn form a club to eat what they cook. “Doubtless the cause of science would be promoted by the startling exhibitions of what the human system could stand.”

For last week’s installment in this series, click here.

Fact check: We always strive for accuracy, but if you believe you see an error, please contact us.


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