Columbia University

Dates

• Existence: 1754-

Biography

Columbia University was founded in 1754 as King's College by royal charter of King George II of England. Samuel Johnson held the first classes in July, 1754. The school was then located in lower Manhattan. The school closed down during the American Revolution. A year after the war ended, in 1784, the school reopened with a new name; Columbia. The school continued to grow throughout the 19th century. The school moved uptown to 49th Street and Madison Avenue in 1857. Forty years later, the campus was once again moved, this time to its current location in Morningside Heights, on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The campus was designed by McKim, Mead, and White, the renowned turn-of-the-century architectural firm. In the 20th century, Columbia became a renowned institution for higher learning, with many bright minds calling the school home. The school has kept this reputation into the 21st century.