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What Archival Silence Conceals—and Reveals: Recovering Princeton University’s 19th-Century African American Graduate Alumni
Archival silences distort the past, shaping our current and future self-understanding, so preserving Princeton’s history sometimes means attempting to correct the work of our predecessors. My struggle to bring 19th and early 20th-century African American graduate alumni to light illustrates one way white supremacy of that era continues to influence us today. It also supports…
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African Americans and Princeton University
Dear Mr. Mudd: Q. What information do you have about African Americans and Princeton University? A. Until the twentieth century, Princeton’s history has mostly been dominated by white men, typically from prosperous backgrounds. Though decidedly pro-Union during the Civil War, the campus had strong Southern influences, and its reputation as the “northernmost university town of the…
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“Princeton University Does Not Discriminate…”: African American Exclusion at Princeton
Bruce Wright applied for admission to Princeton University in the 1930s, having spent some of his childhood living in its shadow in Princeton, New Jersey. He was excited to be awarded a scholarship, and showed up in the fall ready to start as a freshman. So far as the Dean of Admissions was concerned, however,…
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“How History is Made”: In Search of Princeton’s First African American Daughter
by: Brenda Tindal Before the pomp and circumstance of reunions and Princeton University’s 265th commencement fades into memory, it is worth noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Class of 1972 because in many ways, this class bore witness to the revolutionary transformations taking place across the country. These students entered college…
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Princeton’s African American Honorary Degree Recipients: Activists and Public Servants
Since 1748, Princeton has awarded honorary degrees to individuals who had made significant contributions in various sectors of society including religion, academics, arts and culture, politics, science, military, and finance, among other fields. However, it would not be until 1951 that Princeton would confer this honor upon an African American. Since then, more than forty…
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This Week in Princeton History for February 5-11
In this week’s installment in our recurring series, attempts to get students to use ashtrays in classrooms aren’t going well, the library purchases a new subscription, and more.
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“I Found a Million-Dollar Bigot in a 5 & 10 Cent Store”: The Weekend Martin Luther King, Jr. Preached in Princeton University Chapel, Part II
The weekend Martin Luther King, Jr. arrived in Princeton proved to be a local flashpoint for national conflicts.
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This Week in Princeton History for October 16-22
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, student volunteers attend orientation before engaging in dangerous civil rights work, a senior complains about unwarranted accusations of being a communist, and more. October 18, 1964—Seven Princeton student volunteers attend orientation at the headquarters of the Council of Federated Organizations in Jackson, Mississippi. Philip L. Fetzer ’65…
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A Princeton President, Special Collections, and Supreme Court Precedents
This post is the second this week concerning recent Supreme Court decisions and their relation to materials housed within Princeton University Library’s Special Collections. Please see the Special Collections post on the Indian Child Welfare Act for more. By Dan Linke The Supreme Court’s recent decision on the place of race in college admissions has…
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This Week in Princeton History for June 5-11
In this week’s installment of our recurring series, the baseball team has a disappointing loss, Georgia residents resolve to tar and feather an alum, and more. June 5, 1909—In a disappointing showing for the Tigers in New Haven, Yale shuts out Princeton’s baseball team 6 to 0. June 6, 1836—Citizens of Hillsborough, Georgia, meet to…