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The University of Chicago was an entirely new university founded in 1891, using the same name as a defunct school founded in the 1850s which closed in 1886. See Old University of Chicago. Supporters of a new university raised money, selected a new campus in Hyde Park, and opened its doors in 1890.
History and traditions. A tradition of breaking with tradition. Since 1890, UChicago has followed a distinctively different path. Our founders defined what they believed would build an enduring legacy: a commitment to rigorous academics for people of all backgrounds. Unbound by convention.
The links below represent a range of resources for tracing UChicago’s history of inquiry and impact through the present day—from the evolution of our community, to key figures in our intellectual and institutional growth, to major achievements over time, to our ongoing traditions of civic and global engagement.
History. Albert A. Michelson, Professor of Physics and first American Nobel laureate, delivers the second Convocation Address in front of Goodspeed and Gates-Blake Halls, with President William Rainey Harper, professors, and trustees in attendance, July 1, 1894. [31] Early years.
More than 125 years ago, the University’s founders articulated a commitment to academic excellence that would apply to all students and faculty and be accessible for people of all backgrounds .
With The University of Chicago: A History, John W. Boyer, Dean of the College since 1992, presents a deeply researched and comprehensive history of the university. Boyer has mined the archives, exploring the school’s complex and sometimes controversial past to set myth and hearsay apart from fact.
The Department of History at the University of Chicago has long been renowned for academic excellence and a strong sense of community. We invite you to explore our site to learn more about our department and what we offer.
