Tag Archives: Francis Patton

This Week in Princeton History for January 30-February 5

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In this week’s installment of our recurring series, students send egg rolls to a celebrity, an agricultural program is proposed, and more.

January 30, 1898—Princeton president Francis Patton urges students to join the Temperance Movement and accept college rules against drinking, even if their own consciences would permit them to drink.

I should be exceedingly sorry if the professional career of any one of you were blighted by habits contracted here. I should be sorry to see you start in the great race of life under the handicap of ill repute.

February 3, 1983—In honor of the first anniversary of The Late Show with David Letterman, the student staff of Princeton’s Tiger sends him 100 egg rolls.

Yes, David, here they are! 100 egg rolls to hail your landmark anniversary--100 because this is our centennial year; egg rolls because of our fond memories of the unforgettable human state vs. Szechuan U. delivery race and to express our sincere hope that you, Paul, the band, and the whole crew will just keep rolling along. With clapping paws and a great roar, HAPPY FIRST! From the Princeton Tiger Magazine.

Letter from Princeton Tiger staff to David Letterman, February 3, 1983. Princeton University Publications Collection (AC364), Box 9.

February 4, 1920—This week, Princetonians will consume 10 barrels of white flour, more than 6,000  pounds of meat, 42 barrels of potatoes, 4,500 quarts of milk, and 2,600 shredded wheat biscuits at a cost of $900 per day (approximately $13,500 in 2023 currency) in University dining halls.

February 5, 1864—A letter to the editor of the Princeton Standard argues in favor of Princeton establishing a program for the study of agriculture, noting its ideal location among extensive farmland.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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

When the Great Blizzard of 1888 Hit Princeton

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One of the worst storms ever to hit the United States is typically known as “Great Blizzard of 1888,” but you may find it referred to as the “Great White Hurricane.” In it, Princeton students played a historic role in rescuing passengers aboard a train stuck in a snowbank, people were trapped inside for a week or more in most northeastern cities, and residents of the Atlantic coastal region had stories they would tell for generations.

Princeton students freeing a trapped train during a blizzard, March 12, 1888. Historical Photograph Collection, Student Photographers Series (AC163), Box SP1, Image No. 39.

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This Week in Princeton History for June 8-14

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In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, thanks are offered to Harriet Crocker Alexander, an anonymous donor offers the colony of New Jersey funding for a scholarship for a Native American, and more.

June 9, 1894—During the formal presentation of Alexander Hall, Princeton’s president, Francis Patton, thanks Harriet Crocker Alexander for her gift to the school.

Harriet Crocker Alexander, pictured here ca. 1880s, donated the funds to build Princeton University’s Alexander Hall in 1890. In accordance with her wishes, Alexander Hall is not named in her honor, but in honor of her husband, her husband’s father, and her husband’s grandfather (Charles B. Alexander, Class of 1870; Henry M. Alexander, Class of 1840; and Archibald Alexander, Class of 1810). Historical Photograph Collection, Individuals Series (AC067), Box 1.

June 10, 1974—Women’s Wear Daily observes, “Students at Princeton, taking advantage of spring weather, are showing lots of leg—male and female. The big favorite for both sexes—short cutoff jeans. Most girls are keeping their skirts short. It’s okay for those with bronzed, shapely limbs, but forget about those pasty whites.”

June 13, 1755—An anonymous donor in Great Britain sends a donation of over £300 to the colony of New Jersey to establish an endowed fund for one of four possible purposes:

  • To support a missionary “among the Indians in North America”
  • To support “a pious & well qualified Schoolmaster in teaching the Indians the English language & the principles of natural and revealed religion”
  • To support the education of “a well qualified Indian Youth at the College of New Jersey…in order to his instructing his Countrymen in the English language & the Christian religion or preaching the Gospel to them,” or
  • To support the education of a student from Scotland or England at the College of New Jersey to prepare “for teaching or preaching the Gospel among the Indians in case an Indian Youth of suitable Qualifications cannot at some particular time, be obtained”

June 14, 1886—The Princetonian celebrates its tenth anniversary with a special issue detailing its early history.

For the previous installment in this series, click here.

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

This Week in Princeton History for March 25-31

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In this week’s installment of our recurring series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, the Princetonian urges an alumni organization to hire editors with more “integrity”, a new program in electrical engineering is announced, and more.

March 25, 1965—Detectives find no explanation for the apparent suicide of lecturer Robert M. Hurt, 29, described by colleagues as “relaxed” and “cheerful” prior to his death.

Robert Hurt, ca. 1960s. Historical Photograph Collection, Faculty Photographs Series (AC059), Box FAC51.

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This Week in Princeton History for November 6-12

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In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, a professor helps determine election results in 30 states, a donor’s generous gift allows for the building of a new dorm, and more.

November 7, 1972—Politics professor Edward R. Tufte is one of NBC’s 10 election specialists, helping to give up-to-the-minute updates in presidential, senatorial, and gubernatorial contests in 30 different states. The use of computers now allows the election specialists to predict the results of an election before the final tallies are available.

November 8, 1888—Princeton president Francis Patton reports to the Board of Trustees that he has received a gift of $50,000 from Susan D. Brown for the building of a new dorm.

Brown Hall, ca. 1900. Historical Photograph Collection, Grounds and Buildings Series (AC111), Box MP07, Image No. 0147.

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