Gilbert, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin)

In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, the institution was formally established as the first California State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San Jose, and the school relocated to its new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes, Minns' Normal School is now San Jose State University offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations, and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.

The chronology of San Jose State University's various name changes is as follows: Minns' Evening Normal School is founded in 1857; is renamed California State Normal School in 1862; becomes San Jose State Normal School in 1887; is renamed San Jose State Teachers College in 1921; becomes San Jose State College in 1935; is incorporated into the California State Colleges (now the 23-campus California State University system) in 1961; becomes California State University, San Jose, in 1972; and is renamed its current title, San Jose State University, in 1974.

Benjamin F. Gilbert (1918-1992), Associate Professor of History at San Jose State College, was a native Californian and an authority on California state history, particularly the Civil War era. Born in San Francisco, he attended the University of California where he obtained his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees. Gilbert began his teaching career in San Francisco and Oakland, and was a teaching assistant at the University of California before joining the faculty of San Jose State College in 1950. He also served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945. As a member of the Historic Landmarks Commission of the City of San Jose, Gilbert authored the book Pioneers for One Hundred Years: San Jose State College, 1857-1957, the first definitive history of the college to be published since 1928. This book would be updated in 1980 in Washington Square, 1857-1979: The History of San Jose State University by Gilbert and his colleague Charles Burdick.

From the description of Benjamin F. Gilbert research papers, 1953-1979 (bulk 1957-1970) (San Jose Public Library). WorldCat record id: 399721015

Organizational History

In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, the institution was formally established as the first California State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San José, and the school relocated to its new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes, Minns' Normal school is now San José State University, offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations, and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.

Dr. Benjamin F. Gilbert (1918-1992), Associate Professor of History at San José State College, was a native Californian and an authority on California state history, particularly the Civil War era. Born in San Francisco, he attended the University of California where he obtained his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees. Gilbert began his teaching career in San Francisco and Oakland, and was a teaching assistant at the University of California before joining the faculty of San José State College in 1950. He also served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945. As a member of the Historic Landmarks Commission of the City of San José, Gilbert authored the book Pioneers for One Hundred Years: San José State College, 1857-1957, the first definitive history of the college to be published since 1928. This book would be updated in 1980 in Washington Square, 1857-1979: The History of San José State University by Gilbert and his colleague Charles Burdick.

From the guide to the Benjamin F. Gilbert Research Papers, 1953-1979, 1957-1970, (San José State University. Library.)