Janice Lozano
The University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson, opened its doors on March 7, 1825, with only five professors, all foreigners, and a few dozen students. By the end of its first year, the number of students had grown to over 100. The university was unique at the time in that it had no president and mandated no core curriculum, allowing students to study in and take degrees from more than one school. The university's first students were all male, and it was not until the late 1890s that a few selected women were admitted to graduate studies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of accepting first students | 1825 |
| Founding date | 1819 |
| Founder | Thomas Jefferson |
| First Rector | Thomas Jefferson |
| First President | Edwin Alderman |
| First day of classes | March 7, 1825 |
| Number of professors on the first day | 5 |
| Number of students on the first day | A few dozen |
| Number of students by the end of the first year | More than 100 |
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What You'll Learn
The University of Virginia was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson was intimately involved in the university's foundation, designing both the original courses of study and the university's architecture. He believed that education should be secular and free from religious influence, a notable departure from other universities of the time. The University of Virginia did not have a divinity school and was established independently of any religious sect. Instead, the Grounds were centred on a library, the Rotunda, rather than a church.
Jefferson's ideals for the university extended beyond academics and architecture. He envisioned a community where students and faculty could live and learn together, fostering a culture of collaboration and exchange. This vision is reflected in the design of the Academical Village, where students lived in single rooms between the professors' homes. Jefferson also promoted free speech and expression, a tradition that continues at the University of Virginia today.
The founding of the University of Virginia was a collaborative effort involving several notable figures. The location of the university in Charlottesville was selected in 1817 by a group that included three presidents: Jefferson, James Monroe, and James Madison. John Hartwell Cocke, Joseph Carrington Cabell, and James Madison worked together to fulfil Jefferson's dream of establishing the university. Cocke and Jefferson supervised the construction as members of the building committee.
The University of Virginia officially opened for classes in 1825, offering instruction in ancient and modern languages, mathematics, moral philosophy, natural philosophy, chemistry, law, and medicine. Despite some initial challenges, the university thrived and became a leading institution of higher learning in the United States. It has since produced numerous notable alumni, including thirty governors of U.S. states and the founders of companies such as Reddit, Skillshare, VMware, and Space Adventures.
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The first classes were held on March 7, 1825
The University of Virginia, founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, held its first classes on March 7, 1825. The university was established in Charlottesville on land that was once owned by James Monroe.
The first year of classes saw about 125 students enrolled, who, unusually for the time, chose courses within an elective system. The university was unique in that it had no president and mandated no core curriculum, allowing students to study in one or several of eight independent schools, including medicine and law.
The university's founder, Thomas Jefferson, assembled the students during the school's first year to criticise their behaviour. Many of the students were wealthy aristocrats who often brawled, and their behaviour was a source of frustration for Jefferson.
The first students at the University of Virginia also established secret societies, a tradition that has continued at the university.
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The first students were all male and wealthy
The University of Virginia (UVA) was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, who aimed to create a public university to advance human knowledge, educate leaders, and cultivate informed citizens. The university's first classes were held on March 7, 1825, with a handful of professors and a few dozen students. By the end of its first year, the student body had grown to over 100.
The initial cohort of students at UVA were all male, and they matched the common perception of college students at the time: wealthy, privileged, and prone to irresponsible behaviour. This caused frustration for Jefferson, who assembled the students during the school's first year to criticise their conduct. However, his efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and the students' reckless behaviour culminated in the murder of Professor John A. G. Davis in 1840.
It wasn't until the late 1890s that UVA began admitting a small number of women to graduate studies, and even then, their attendance was limited to specific programs such as nursing and education. It wasn't until 1944 that Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, became the Women's Undergraduate Arts and Sciences Division of the University of Virginia, marking the first time that women could enrol as undergraduates.
The fight for integration and co-education at UVA continued into the late 1960s, with students protesting for higher black enrollment and equal access for undergraduate women. This culminated in the May Strike of 1970, after which the Charlottesville campus became fully co-educational in 1970, and Mary Washington became an independent state university in 1972.
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The first female students were admitted in the late 1890s
The University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, was originally an all-male institution. The university's first classes met on March 7, 1825, and for over a century, its student body was comprised solely of men.
However, in the late 1890s, this began to change. The University of Virginia admitted its first female students during this period, marking a significant shift towards inclusivity and diversity. Initially, female students were only accepted into graduate studies, and it wasn't until the 1920s and 1930s that they were admitted to specific programs such as nursing and education.
The push for coeducation gained momentum in the late 1960s, with students protesting for equal access to UVA admission for undergraduate women. In 1969, a pivotal moment occurred when Virginia Scott, a resident of Charlottesville, sued the university in federal court for admission to the College of Arts and Sciences. The university's Board of Visitors ultimately accepted coeducation, and in 1970, the Charlottesville campus became fully co-educational.
When the first female class arrived, 450 undergraduate women entered UVA, comprising 39% of undergraduates. By 1999, women made up the majority of the total student body, with their numbers continuing to grow and thrive in the institution.
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The first president was Edwin Alderman
The University of Virginia (UVA) was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, who aimed to create a public university to advance human knowledge, educate leaders, and cultivate informed citizens. The university's first classes were held on March 7, 1825, with only a handful of professors and students present. By the end of its first year, the student body had grown to over 100.
In its early years, UVA experienced growing pains, including a fire that gutted the original Rotunda in 1895. The university also lacked a central leader, as Jefferson had originally intended for it to be governed by a rector and a Board of Visitors. However, by the end of the 19th century, it became clear that this structure was inadequate for managing the university's growing administrative and fundraising needs.
This is where Edwin Alderman comes in. Alderman was UVA's first president, serving from 1904 to 1931. He was an experienced academic administrator, having previously served as president of UNC-Chapel Hill and Tulane University. As UVA's president, Alderman instituted numerous reforms and helped establish the university's basic modern structure. During his tenure, UVA underwent significant changes, including the establishment of the McIntire School of Commerce in 1952 and the Center for Advanced Studies in 1965.
Alderman's presidency marked a shift towards a more centralized leadership model at UVA, which was necessary for the university's continued growth and development. His acceptance of the position of UVA's first president was a pivotal moment in the university's history, setting the stage for its future success and transformation into the renowned institution it is today.
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Frequently asked questions
Thomas Jefferson, who founded the University of Virginia, accepted the first students in 1825.
The University of Virginia had no president and mandated no core curriculum. Power was shared by a rector and the Board of Visitors.
The first students were all male, and until 1950, all were white. One of the first students was poet Edgar Allan Poe, who enrolled at the university in 1826.
The University of Virginia first admitted a few selected women to graduate studies in the late 1890s and to certain programs such as nursing and education in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1970, the Charlottesville campus became fully co-educational.
