Douglas Olsen
James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, is often considered Princeton University's first graduate student. In 1771, Madison began graduate work at Princeton, then called the College of New Jersey, under the guidance of President John Witherspoon, another Founding Father. Madison studied Hebrew and political philosophy, which laid the foundation for his illustrious career as a delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from Virginia, Secretary of State, and President of the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | James Madison |
| Year of Graduation | 1771 |
| University Name at the Time of Graduation | College of New Jersey |
| Subject of Study | Hebrew and Political Philosophy |
| Post-Graduation Career | Delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from Virginia, Secretary of State, and President of the United States |
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What You'll Learn
James Madison, Princeton's first graduate student
In 1771, James Madison, who would later become the President of the United States, began graduate work at Princeton University (then called the College of New Jersey). He is often considered Princeton's first graduate student. Madison studied Hebrew and Political Philosophy under the tutelage of President John Witherspoon, another Founding Father. This education provided him with the foundation for his later career as the delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from Virginia, Secretary of State, and President of the United States.
Madison's time at Princeton influenced his political philosophy. He understood the need for philosophic underpinnings for an "extensive republic", a phrase that seemed oxymoronic to others. He is known for his political catechism, which included questions such as "What is the worst outcome of politics?" and "To what form of tyranny are democracies susceptible?". Madison's answers to these questions guided his political actions. For example, he wrote in Federalist 10 that "the first object of government is the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property".
After graduating from Princeton, Madison remained for a year of "graduate work" to study Hebrew with President Witherspoon. This set a precedent for other promising students who were subsequently permitted to stay on after receiving their bachelor's degrees. However, it wasn't until 1869 that graduate education at Princeton began to take shape systematically. In that year, three fellowships were established as an experiment to encourage outstanding members of the senior class to continue their studies.
Madison's legacy at Princeton is honoured through the James Madison Program (JMP), a scholarly institute within the Department of Politics. Founded in 2000, the program explores enduring questions of American constitutional law and Western political thought. While the JMP states that it is welcoming of all ideological tendencies, it is widely considered a conservative institute that promotes conservative viewpoints on campus. The program has faced criticism for its predominantly conservative donors and fellows, and for platforming far-right and extremist individuals.
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Graduate education at Princeton
In the following decades, other outstanding students were permitted to remain at Princeton after receiving their bachelor's degrees. However, it wasn't until 1869 that graduate education at Princeton began to take a more formal shape. That year, three fellowships were established to encourage top members of the senior class to continue their studies. These fellowships, in classics, mathematics, and philosophy, were awarded through competitive examinations, and the recipients could choose where and how to spend their fellowship year.
In 1879, Princeton conferred its first earned doctorates on James F. Williamson and William Libby. The first dean of the graduate school was Andrew Fleming West, who envisioned a small but high-quality graduate institution. The Graduate College, the residence of the dean and many graduate students, was established in 1913 and is inspired by the design of Magdalen Tower at Oxford University. The Old Graduate College features traditional Gothic-style architecture, including the 173-foot-tall Cleveland Tower.
Today, Princeton's Graduate School offers a range of degree-granting programs in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. It has a highly selective admission process, with an acceptance rate of around 11.7%. The school prepares graduate students for distinguished careers in research and teaching, as well as leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for admitted students are typically well above the average, and the school boasts one of the largest university library systems in the United States, with over seven million volumes.
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Graduate School at Princeton
Graduate education at Princeton University systematically began to take shape in 1869, when three fellowships were established as an experiment to encourage outstanding senior class members to continue their studies. The university, which was then called the College of New Jersey, conferred its first earned doctorates in 1879.
In 1771, future president James Madison—often considered Princeton's first graduate student—began a year of "graduate work" at the university, studying Hebrew and political philosophy under the tutelage of President John Witherspoon, another Founding Father. This provided him with the foundation for his later career as the delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from Virginia, Secretary of State, and President of the United States.
Following Madison's studies, promising students were permitted to stay at Princeton after receiving their bachelor's degrees. By 1869, graduate education was standardised through the establishment of general examinations and graduate fellowships.
Today, Princeton's Graduate School is the main graduate school of the university, offering postgraduate degrees in 42 disciplines. The school is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 11.7% across all disciplines. In the 2018–2019 academic year, 1,373 students were admitted into the graduate school. The Graduate School offers a number of degree-granting programs in the fields of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. In addition to its own Masters and PhD programs, the school oversees graduate degrees for the Bendheim Center for Finance, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Architecture, and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Princeton's Graduate School includes a university library system of over seven million volumes, making it one of the largest in the United States. The main library, Firestone Library, opened in 1948 and is recognised as having the most books per enrolled student in the country. The Graduate College, the residence of the dean of the graduate school and home to many graduate students, was established in 1913 and is inspired by the design of Magdalen Tower at Oxford University.
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Graduate life at Princeton
James Madison, who graduated from Princeton in 1771, is considered the university's first graduate student. After his graduation, Madison remained at Princeton for a year of "graduate work", studying Hebrew and political philosophy under the tutelage of President John Witherspoon. This early form of graduate education laid the foundation for Madison's later career in politics, which culminated in him becoming the President of the United States.
Academic Life
Princeton's Graduate School offers a wide range of degree-granting programs in diverse fields such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The school also oversees graduate degrees for specialised centres and schools, including the Bendheim Center for Finance and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. The academic life of graduate students at Princeton is characterised by rigorous coursework, independent research, and close collaboration with faculty members. The university's extensive library system, featuring over seven million volumes, provides invaluable resources for graduate students to support their academic pursuits.
Traditions and Community
Princeton Graduate School has a rich tradition of events, programs, and student organisations that foster a strong sense of community. One notable tradition is the "High Table", which originated at Oxford and Cambridge universities. This tradition involves fellows, students, faculty, and guests gathering for discussions and formal dinners, creating opportunities for intellectual exchange and social interaction. The Graduate College, established in 1913, serves as the residence of the dean of the graduate school and is a hub for graduate student life, featuring Gothic-style architecture and the iconic Cleveland Tower.
Residential Life
Graduate students at Princeton have a variety of housing options, including the Graduate College, annexes, and apartments such as Lakeside and Lawrence. The university provides a supportive environment for students to explore their diverse interests and perspectives, both within and beyond academics. Princeton offers a range of resources and support services to enhance the overall graduate student experience.
Admissions
Admission to Princeton's Graduate School is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 11.7% across all disciplines. Prospective students are expected to have competitive Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores and demonstrate excellence in their respective fields. The selective nature of admissions contributes to the high calibre of students and the vibrant intellectual community at Princeton.
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Notable alumni and faculty
James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, was the first graduate student at Princeton University (then called the College of New Jersey). After graduating in 1771, Madison remained for a year of "graduate work" under the tutelage of President John Witherspoon, studying Hebrew and political philosophy. This set a precedent for other promising students to stay on after receiving their bachelor's degrees.
Notable alumni
Princeton University has produced many notable alumni across various fields, including:
- John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States
- Michelle Obama, lawyer, author, and former First Lady of the United States
- James Baker III, a key figure in American politics who served as Chief of Staff and Secretary of State under the Reagan and Bush administrations
- Craig Malcolm Robinson, American college basketball coach, basketball executive, broadcaster, and brother of Michelle Obama
- Paul Krugman, American economist and winner of the 2008 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences
- Robert Nozick, American philosopher known for his book "Anarchy, State, and Utopia"
- George F. Kennan, a politician and lecturer who played a significant role in shaping Cold War strategies
- Aaron Burr, a Founding Father of the United States and a politician, businessman, and lawyer
- Woodrow Wilson, America's 28th president who led the country into World War I
- Albert Einstein, a scholar at the independent Institute for Advanced Study closely linked to Princeton
Notable faculty
Some notable faculty members at Princeton University include:
- Elizabeth Diller, architect, professor of architecture, and winner of the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship
- Nina G. Garsoian, the first woman to become the dean of the graduate school in 1977
- Stan Allen, former dean of the Princeton University School of Architecture and author of "Points and Lines"
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Frequently asked questions
James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, is considered Princeton University's first graduate student.
James Madison graduated from Princeton, then called the College of New Jersey, in 1771.
James Madison studied Hebrew and Political Philosophy at Princeton, which provided him with a foundation for his later political career.
James Madison served as a delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from Virginia and as Secretary of State before becoming the fourth President of the United States.
John Witherspoon, a Founding Father, was the president of Princeton University when James Madison began his graduate work in 1771.
