The Colonial Colleges

Note One: “Non-denom.” should be interpreted as Christian but not of a denominational nature. “Non-sectarian” should be interpreted as secular and having little or nothing to do with religion.

Note Two: King’s College in New York has two successor institutions: King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Columbia University in New York, New York. The largest portion of the faculty of King’s College in New York fled north and in 1789 refounded the college in Windsor, Nova Scotia. However, the original buildings of King’s College were usurped by a new institution called Columbia College four years earlier in 1784.

King’s College formerly counted its foundation from 1754, while Columbia used the 1784 date. However, this has since switched and Columbia now proudly (though perhaps dubiously) claims 1754 as its foundation while King’s College more safely uses 1789.

Perhaps both institutions have a shared right to the founding date, as the loyal alumni continued their allegiance to King’s in Nova Scotia while the rebellious graduates considered Columbia the rightful heir. As stated, Nova Scotia had more of the people from the original foundation, whereas New York had little more than the physical building and a few of the graduates. I would be inclined to award 1754 to King’s College and 1784 to Columbia, (but then I’m biased against Columbia for being such a fallen institution).