The Launching of Duke University 19241949

About this book

In this rich and authoritative history distinguished historian Robert F. Durden tells the story of the formation of Duke University beginning with its creation in 1924 as a new institution organized around Trinity College. As Durden reveals this narrative belongs first and foremost to Duke Universitys original President William Preston Few whose visionary leadership successfully launched the building of the first voluntarily supported research university in the South. In focusing on Duke Universitys most formative and critical yearsits first quarter centuryDurden commemorates Fews remarkable successes while recognizing the painful realities and uncertainties of a young institution. Made possible by a gift from James B. Duke the wealthiest member of the family that had underwritten Trinity College since 1890 Duke University was organized with Few as president. Fews goal was to turn Duke into a world-class institution of higher education and these early years saw the development of much of what we know as Duke University today. Drawing on extensive archival material culled over a ten-year period Durden discusses the building of the Medical Center the rebuilding of the School of Law the acquisition of the Duke Forest and development of the School of Forestry the nurturing of the Divinity School and the enrichment of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. It was also during this period as Durden details that such treasures as the Sarah P. Duke Gardens were created as well as some near treasures as seen by the failed attempt to start an art museum. Although the story of the birth of this University belongs largely to William Preston Few other people figure prominently and are discussed at length. Alice Baldwin who led in the establishment of the Womans College emerges as a fascinating figure as do William H. Wannamaker James B. Duke William Hanes Ackland Robert L. Flowers Justin Miller and Wilburt Cornell Davision among others. Although impressive growth occurred in Dukes formative years tensions also arose. The need to strike an institutional balance between the twin demands of teaching and research of regional versus national status combined with continual shortages of funds created occasional obstacles. The problem of two sets of trustees one for the university and another for the Duke Endowment loomed largest of all. As Few himself said during these early years Duke successfully embarked on a long journey for it was not until after World War II that Duke University consolidated the growth begun in the inter-war years. An important contribution to the history of Southern higher education as well as to Duke University this book will be of great interest to historians alumni and friends of Duke University alike.