Yale university. Sheffield scientific school

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In 1847, Yale established the Department of Philosophy and Arts, which offered courses in philosophy, the arts, and the sciences. As the scientific fields gained in strength, the School of Applied Chemistry and the School of Engineering were developed. These schools were combined in 1854 to form the Yale Scientific School. In 1858 Joseph Earl Sheffield purchased the old Medical Institution and presented it to Yale, along with scientific apparatus and an endowment. The new school, dedicated as the Sheffield Scientific School, in 1861 became one of the first schools of higher education in the United States to devote its curriculum specifically to scientific training. The faculty conducted graduate as well as undergraduate courses in the sciences and engineering until 1919 when the former were discontinued. In 1954 graduate level courses were reinstated. The School's functions were absorbed by the Graduate School in 1956.

From the description of Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, records, 1846-1969 (inclusive). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702170018

From the guide to the Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, class records, 1908-1974, (Manuscripts and Archives)

The Sheffield Scientific School, like the Graduate School, had its origins in the Department of Philosophy and the Arts established in 1847. It was given its name by the Yale Corporation in 1861 in recognition of the support of Joseph Earl Sheffield of New Haven who not only gave the first building but also provided funds for its equipment and development. Subsequently he made other gifts and finally bequeathed to a corporation, the Board of Trustees of the Sheffield S cientific School, a substantial endowment which was to be held and adninistered by the Trustees for the benefit of the natural, physical, and mathematical sciences in Yale University.

Sheffield was one of the first schools of higher education in the United States to devote its curriculum specifically to scientific training. The School played an important part in the evolution of American higher learning from the strict classical model of education t o a curriculum which encompassed a liberal scientific education.

The faculty of the School conducted graduate as well as undergraduate courses i n the sciences and engineering until 1919 when the former were discontinued. In 1932, engineering instruction was transferred to the newly organized Yale School of Engineering. In 1945 Sheffield resumed its original function of teaching at the graduate level. Under the general administration of the Graduate School, its faculty furnished instruction to graduate students in the sciences and mathematics who were M.A. and Ph.D. candidates. In 1956 the School's functions were absorbed by the Graduate School. The Directors of Sheffield Scientific School were: George Jarvis Brush, 1872-1898; Russell Henry Chittenden, 1898-1922; Charles Hyde Warren, 1922-1945; Edmund Ware Linnott, 1945-1956.

For further information see History of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, 1846-1922 by Russell H. Chittenden (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1928).

  • 1846: Yale establishes professorships of Agricultural Chemistry and Applied Chemistry "for the purpose of giving instruction to graduates and others not members of the undergraduate classes"
  • 1847: "a School of Applied Chemistry" is embraced within the newly created Department of Philosophy and the Arts
  • 1852: authorization of the Bachelor of Philosophy degree to be awrded by the Department of Philosophy and the Arts professorship of Civil Engineering established the Yale School of Engineering is organized under William A. Norton
  • 1853 - 1854 : Science (School of Applied Chemistry) and engineering (School of Engineering) courses are independent, but classed together in the catalogue under "the aegis of a non-existent institution"- the Yale Scientific School
  • 1856: "Proposed Plan for a complete organization of the School of Science" and "Appeal in Behalf of the Yale Scientific School, with an Index": fundraising pamphlets issued
  • 1858: Joseph Earl Sheffield donates funds and property on the northeast comer of Grove and Prospect Streets to the Scientific School
  • 1860 - 1932 : Engineering courses are offered in the Scientific School
  • 1860: degree in Civil Engineering established degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the Scientific School established
  • 1861: Yale Scientific School becomes the Sheffield Scientific School in recognition of the continuous generosity of Joseph Earl Sheffield
  • 1863: the Sheffield Scientific School, through an Act of the Connecticut General Assembly, begins to receive the income from the Land Grant Fund of the State
  • 1866: courses in Mining and Metallurgy announced "Public Lectures to Mechanics " instituted, later known as the "Sheffield Lectures", given for 45 years
  • 1870: First Yale Scientific Expedition organized by Professor Othniel Marsh
  • 1871: Articles of Incorporation of the Board of Trustees of the Sheffield Scientific School drawn up a t the suggestion of Joseph Earl Sheffield. Board to consist of nine directors including the Governor of Connecticut, the President of Yale University, the Chairman of the Trustees of the Peabody Museum and at least three professors in the Sheffield Scientific School
  • 1872 - 1898 : George Jarvis Brush, Director of the Sheffield Scientific School
  • 1877: Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station established on a permanent basis by the Connecticut General Assembly with one of its Board of Control to be elected by the Trustees of the Sheffield Scientific School
  • 1893: The Connecticut General Assembly passes an Act making Storrs Agricultural College the Land Grant College of Connecticut. Damages amounting to $154,604.45 were paid to the University and became a part of the permanent funds of the Sheffield Scientific School
  • 1897: Semi-centennial celebration of the Sheffield Scientific School
  • 1898 - 1922 : Russell Henry Chittenden, Director of the Sheffield Scientific School
  • 1905: Pierson-Sage Square property acquired for development of University laboratories
  • 1913: land purchased at East Lyme for a field engineering camp
  • 1916: "Students in the Sheffield Scientific School who are able to comply with the entrance requirements of the School of Medicine may combine their College and Medical courses, entering the School of Medicine at the beginning of their third College year"
  • 1918: Voted "that in the opinion of the Corporation, the reasons which led to the establishment and maintenance of a course of 'Selected Studies in language, literature, history and Natural and Social Sciences' under the administration of the Faculty of the Sheffield Scientific School are no longer valid"
  • 1918 - 1919 : general reorganization of the educational structure of Yale University. Three year "Select" course at the Shef f ield Scientific School eliminated. A four year course of study "for students who wished to undertake the professional study of science and engineering" established graduate courses are transferred to the Graduate School
  • 1919 - 1945 : only undergraduate courses taught at the Sheffield Scientific School
  • 1922: first award of the degree of Bachelor of Science to the graduating class of the Sheffield Scientific School
  • 1922 - 1945 : Charles Kyde Warren, Dean
  • 1932 - 1962 : the School of Engineering re-established. Sheffield Scientific School engineering courses transferred to the new school
  • 1945: the Sheffield Scientific School resumes its original function of graduate level instruction in science. Undergraduate courses for a Bachelor of Science transferred t o Yale College. Undergraduate courses for a Bachelor of Science in industrial administration transferred to the School of Engineering
  • 1945 - 1956 : Edmund Ware Sinnott, Director (also Dean of the Graduate School, 1950-1956)
  • 1947: Centennial celebration of the Sheffield Scientific School
  • 1956: termination of the Sheffield Scientific School as an active school although the Board of Trustees still exists to oversee the Sheffield Scientific School property and meet legal requirements. Yale University Provost becomes Chairman of the Board. Faculty is defined as teachers of science to graduate students under the Division of Science
  • 1967: North Sheffield Hall (1872-1873) and Winchester Hall (1892) removed to provide site for a new laboratory

From the guide to the Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, records, 1846-1970, (Manuscripts and Archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Silliman family. Silliman family papers, 1717-1977 (inclusive), 1717-1911 (bulk). Yale University Library
creatorOf Johnson, Rankin, 1873-1957. Papers of Rankin Johnson, 1895-1910. University of Pittsburgh
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1863-1879 Smithsonian Institution Archives
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. [Miscellaneous pamphlets on the anniversary exercises, and class day, including tickets for the annual reading of theses by graduates of Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University]. Yale University Library
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. [Miscellaneous pamphlets on admission to the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University]. Yale University Library
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. [Minor publications issued by the office of the dean or registrar of the Sheffield Scientific School]. Yale University Library
referencedIn Brush, George Jarvis, 1831-1912. Family papers, 1834-1960 (bulk: 1834-1939) Yale University Library
referencedIn Norton, John Pitkin, 1822-1852. John Pitkin Norton papers, 1837-1852 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn John Pitkin Norton papers, 1837-1852 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Bailey, James Robinson, 1868-1941. Bailey, James Robinson, papers, 1903-1942. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Lockwood, Edwin Hoyt. Edwin Hoyt Lockwood papers, 1890-1932 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. [Rules, regulations: minor publications] Yale University Library
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. [Pamphlets on honors and degrees conferred by the Sheffield Scientific School, 1852-1945]. Yale University Library
referencedIn Yale University. Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Student transcripts maintained by the Office of the Registrar, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Yale University, ca. 1925-2007 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Brush, George Jarvis, 1831-1912. George Jarvis Brush family papers, 1834-1960 (inclusive), 1834-1939 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Hammond, John Hays, 1855-1936. John Hays Hammond, Sr. papers, 1893-1936 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. [Tickets, circulars, etc. for occasional lectures given at the Sheffield scientific school]. Yale University Library
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. Correspondence to Daniel Garrison Brinton, 1897. University of Pennsylvania Library
referencedIn Pictures of Yale classes, 1806-1971 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Bertram Borden Boltwood papers, 1890-1932 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Chittenden, R. H. (Russell Henry), 1856-1943. Sixty years of service in science : an autobiography, 1936. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Rew, Irwin, 1868-1958. Irwin Rew papers, 1879-1921. Chicago History Museum
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. Student records of the Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, ca. 1906-1965 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. [Miscellaneous pamphlet material on exhibitions held at the Sheffield scientific school]. Yale University Library
referencedIn Bateman, Alan M. (Alan Mara), 1889-1971. Alan Mara Bateman papers, 1907-1968 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Photographs of events, activities, and individuals, Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, ca. 1870-1934 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Callender, Guy Stevens, 1865-1915. Research papers of Guy Stevens Callender, 1897-1914. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn [Pamphlets on the Mason mechanical engineering laboratory of Yale University, not including those descriptive of the building]. Yale University Library
referencedIn Pictures of South Sheffield Hall, Yale University, 1814-1931 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Alan Mara Bateman papers, 1907-1968 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, records, 1846-1970 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, records, 1846-1969 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Silliman family. Silliman family papers, 1717-1977 (inclusive), 1717-1911 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn [Miscellaneous pamphlets, clippings, etc., on the undergraduate curriculum of Yale university]. Yale University Library
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. Correspondence with Edgar Fahs Smith, 1904. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Yale University. Sheffield Scientific School. [Minor publications in examinations, exclusive of examination papers and schedules, issued by the Sheffield Scientific School]. Yale University Library
referencedIn Callender, Guy Stevens, 1865-1915. Research notes, undated. Oberlin College Library
referencedIn Brewer, William Henry, 1828-1910. William Henry Brewer papers, 1830-1927 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Kinney, Watson Fredericks, 1906-. Watson Fredericks Kinney collection, 1876-1995 (inclusive), 1876-1928 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Chittenden, R. H. (Russell Henry), 1856-1943. Russell Henry Chittenden papers, 1870-1945 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Russell Henry Chittenden papers, 1870-1945 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn William Henry Brewer papers, 1830-1927 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Yale University. Junior Class. [Miscellaneous pamphlets issued by the Junior Class of Yale College and Sheffield Scientific School, on the occasion of their class suppers]. Yale University Library
referencedIn [Pamphlets, etc., on scholarships and prizes awarded to students in the Sheffield scientific school]. Yale University Library
creatorOf Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, student records, circa 1906-1965 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Boltwood, Bertram Borden, 1870-1927. Bertram Borden Boltwood papers 1890-1932 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Silliman family papers, 1717-1977 (bulk 1717-1911) Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Warren, William Lamson. William Lamson Warren Collection, 1896-1999. Connecticut Historical Society
referencedIn Alfred P. Rockwell Papers, 1846-1903 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Sixty years of service in science : an autobiography, 1936, 1936 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Chittenden, Russell Henry, 1856-1943. Russell Henry Chittenden papers, 1870-1945 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Colby, James Fairbanks, 1850-1939. Papers, ca. 1870-1939. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, class records, 1908-1974 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn George Jarvis Brush family papers, 1834-1960, 1834-1939 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bailey, James Robinson, 1868-1941. person
associatedWith Bateman, Alan M. (Alan Mara), 1889-1971. person
associatedWith Boltwood, Bertram Borden, 1870-1927. person
associatedWith Brewer, William Henry, 1828-1910. person
associatedWith Brush, George Jarvis, 1831-1912. person
associatedWith Callender, Guy Stevens, 1865-1915. person
associatedWith Chittenden, R. H. (Russell Henry), 1856-1943. person
associatedWith Colby, James Fairbanks, 1850-1939. person
correspondedWith Dickinson, John person
associatedWith Hammond, John Hays, 1855-1936. person
correspondedWith Hawley, Joseph R. person
associatedWith Johnson, Rankin, 1873-1957. person
associatedWith Kinney, Watson Fredericks, 1906- person
associatedWith Lockwood, Edwin Hoyt. person
associatedWith Norton, John Pitkin, 1822-1852. person
associatedWith Rew, Irwin, 1868-1958. person
associatedWith Rockwell, Alfred Perkins, 1834-1903 person
associatedWith Silliman family. family
associatedWith Silliman family. family
associatedWith Silliman family. family
associatedWith Warren, William Lamson person
associatedWith Yale University corporateBody
associatedWith Yale University. Faculty of Arts and Sciences. corporateBody
associatedWith Yale University. Junior Class. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Universities and colleges
Universities and colleges
College students
College students
Engineering
Lectures and lecturing
Science
Science
Science students
Occupation
Activity

Corporate Body

Active 1895

Active 1910

Americans

English

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