National University (Washington, D.C.)

National University was incorporated by an Act of Congress in June 1869. Dr. William B. Wedgewood was the school's founder. Five presidents of the United States, Grant, Garfield, Hayes, Arthur and Cleveland have acted as Chancellor ex-efficio of the National University as an indication of the caliber of the men who directed the affairs in its formative years. Although instruction was first given in several professional fields, including a Department of Medicine, the tendency as the years passed was toward the law. Law constituted the predominant branch of the University, but it should not be overlooked that National's School of Economics and Government conferred the degrees of AB, BS, BCS, and MCS. Because of rapid growth and changing conditions it was found necessary to reorganize the University in 1896. A new charter was granted by a special Act of Congress, (129 Stat. L. 194), conferring the power to grant university degrees. The new incorporators were all men holding high and honored positions in the Federal Judicial service. At the death of President Cleveland the Board of Regents abolished the office of Chancellor ex-efficio and elected Arthur McArthur (Grandfather of Douglas McArthur), then a justice on the District of Columbia Supreme Court bench as the first Chancellor. Other Chancellors of National University included: Samuel F. Miller, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Charles S. Hatfield, Justice of the United States Count of Customs and Patent Appeals and Leslie C. Garnett, a former Assistant Attorney General of the United States. In 1954 the National University merged with The George Washington University forming what became the National Law Center at The George Washington University.