The College of William & Mary: A Legacy of Academic Excellence and National Influence

The College of William & Mary, often simply referred to as William & Mary or W&M, and officially known as The College of William and Mary in Virginia, stands as a distinguished public research university nestled in the historic city of Williamsburg, Virginia. Its esteemed legacy dates back to its founding in 1693, an establishment facilitated by significant letters patent issued by the reigning monarchs, King William III and Queen Mary II. This royal decree formally granted the institution the right to operate, making it the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, surpassed only by Harvard University, and notably the ninth-oldest university in the entire English-speaking world.

William & Mary's profound impact on American history is evident through its illustrious alumni. The university proudly educated three U.S. Presidents: Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler. Beyond the presidency, its graduates played pivotal roles in shaping the nascent United States. Notable alumni include Peyton Randolph, who served as the first President of the Continental Congress; Edmund Randolph, the first U.S. Attorney General; John Marshall, the influential fourth U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice; Henry Clay, a prominent Speaker of the House of Representatives; and Winfield Scott, a distinguished Commanding General of the U.S. Army. Furthermore, the college contributed sixteen members to the Continental Congress and four signers of the Declaration of Independence, a testament to its foundational role in American governance and earning it the cherished nickname, "the Alma Mater of the Nation."

The institution also holds a unique connection to George Washington, who, as a young man, obtained his surveyor's license at the college in 1749. Decades later, in 1788, Washington returned to William & Mary, becoming its first American chancellor. This prestigious position, which had historically been held by the Bishops of London and Archbishops of Canterbury, has since been occupied by a diverse array of eminent figures, including U.S. Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet Secretaries, and even former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. William & Mary's commitment to intellectual distinction was further underscored in 1756 when it awarded its first honorary degree to the polymath Benjamin Franklin.

Pioneering "Firsts" in American Higher Education

William & Mary is particularly renowned for its numerous groundbreaking "firsts" that have significantly influenced the landscape of American higher education. These pioneering achievements highlight its enduring innovation and leadership:

• First Collegiate Fraternity: The F.H.C. Society, established in 1750, holds the distinction of being the first collegiate fraternity in the United States, predating the familiar Greek-letter organizations.
• First Greek-Letter Fraternity: In 1776, a pivotal year in American history, William & Mary students founded the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society, marking the inception of the first Greek-letter fraternity and setting a precedent for academic excellence and recognition.
• First Student Honor Code: Dating back to 1736, William & Mary was the first institution of higher education in the United States to implement a formal honor code of conduct for its students, emphasizing integrity and academic honesty.
• Only American University with a Royal Coat of Arms: It remains the singular American university to have been granted a coat of arms directly by the College of Arms in London, a unique symbol of its historical ties and distinguished heritage.
• Early University Status with Graduate Programs: The establishment of formal graduate programs in law and medicine in 1779 positioned William & Mary among the very first institutions in the United States to evolve into a comprehensive university.
• Oldest Law School in the U.S.: The Marshall–Wythe School of Law holds the esteemed title of the oldest law school in the United States, a testament to its enduring legacy in legal education.
• Oldest Academic Building in Continuous Use: The iconic Sir Christopher Wren Building, attributed to the renowned English architect Sir Christopher Wren, is not only a masterpiece of colonial architecture but also the oldest academic building in continuous use in the United States, serving as the heart of the campus for centuries.

Academic Standing and Research Excellence

Beyond its historically significant undergraduate offerings, William & Mary boasts several nationally recognized graduate programs and four distinct professional schools. Its reputation for academic rigor and value was notably highlighted in Richard Moll's influential 1985 book, "Public Ivies: A Guide to America's Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities," where William & Mary was proudly included as one of the original eight "Public Ivies." This designation recognizes public universities that offer a collegiate experience and academic quality comparable to the Ivy League institutions.

Further affirming its commitment to advancing knowledge, William & Mary is officially classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This classification signifies a high level of research output, including the production of a significant number of doctoral degrees, underscoring its role as a vibrant center for scholarly inquiry and innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions About William & Mary

What is the College of William & Mary?

The College of William & Mary, or W&M, is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, renowned for its deep historical roots and high academic standards.

When was William & Mary founded?

William & Mary was founded in 1693 by letters patent from King William III and Queen Mary II, making it the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

What famous people attended William & Mary?

Notable alumni include U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler, as well as influential figures like John Marshall, Henry Clay, and George Washington (who also served as Chancellor).

What are some "firsts" associated with William & Mary?

William & Mary is credited with establishing the first collegiate fraternity (F.H.C. Society), the first Greek-letter fraternity (Phi Beta Kappa), the first student honor code, and housing the oldest law school (Marshall–Wythe) and academic building in continuous use (Sir Christopher Wren Building) in the U.S.

Is William & Mary considered a "Public Ivy"?

Yes, William & Mary was recognized as one of the original "Public Ivies" by Richard Moll in 1985, a designation highlighting its academic excellence comparable to private Ivy League universities.

What is the significance of William & Mary's research classification?

William & Mary is classified as an "R2: Doctoral University – High Research Activity," indicating its substantial contributions to research and the production of doctoral degrees across various fields.

King William III and Queen Mary II: Monarchs and Patrons of Education

William III, born William Henry (Dutch: Willem Hendrik) on 4 November 1650 and passing on 8 March 1702, was a pivotal figure in European history, widely recognized as William of Orange. From birth, he held the title of sovereign Prince of Orange. In the Dutch Republic, he served as Stadtholder—a chief executive and military leader—for Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel from the 1670s. His influence extended across the North Sea when he became King of England, Ireland, and Scotland in 1689, a position he held until his death in 1702. In Scotland, he is specifically known as William II. Informally, especially in parts of Ireland and Scotland, he is affectionately known as "King Billy."

William's legacy in Ireland is particularly marked by his decisive victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. This event, which saw him defeat the Catholic King James II, is a cornerstone for Unionists, who commemorate it annually, often displaying the color orange in his honor, symbolizing the Protestant House of Orange. Throughout his reign in Britain, William ruled collaboratively with his wife and first cousin, Queen Mary II. Their joint monarchy is famously referred to in popular histories as the reign of "William and Mary," symbolizing a unique co-regency in British history.

Lineage, Marriage, and the Glorious Revolution

William's intricate lineage played a significant role in his destiny. He was the only child of William II, Prince of Orange, and Mary, Princess Royal, who was herself the daughter of the executed King Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Tragically, William's father died just a week before his birth, making him the Prince of Orange from the moment he entered the world. In 1677, William married Mary, the eldest daughter of his maternal uncle, James, Duke of York—the younger brother of King Charles II. This dynastic marriage united two prominent branches of European royalty and would later prove crucial for the English succession.

As a staunch Protestant, William often found himself at odds with the powerful Catholic French ruler Louis XIV. He actively participated in numerous wars against France, forming coalitions with both Protestant and Catholic European powers in his quest to maintain the balance of power. Consequently, many Protestants across Europe hailed William as a steadfast champion of their faith. A turning point arrived in 1685 when his Catholic uncle and father-in-law, James, ascended to the throne as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. King James II's reign quickly became unpopular with Britain's Protestant majority, who harbored deep fears of a Catholic revival and the potential undermining of Protestant liberties.

Supported by a formidable coalition of influential British political and religious leaders, William launched an invasion of England in 1688, an event famously known as the Glorious Revolution. He landed at the south-western English port of Brixham, and King James II was deposed shortly thereafter in a largely bloodless coup. This revolution fundamentally reshaped the British monarchy, leading to the establishment of parliamentary supremacy and the Bill of Rights in 1689, which limited the powers of the monarch and enshrined specific rights for Parliament and the people.

Challenges to the Throne and Succession

William's reputation as a committed Protestant was instrumental in legitimizing his and Mary's claim to the throne. During the initial years of their reign, William was frequently occupied abroad, leading the Grand Alliance against France in the Nine Years' War (1688–1697). In his absence, Queen Mary II adeptly governed Britain as regent, demonstrating her considerable political acumen. Her unexpected death in 1694 left William to rule alone. The monarchy faced further challenges from the Jacobites, a faction loyal to the deposed James II, who repeatedly plotted, albeit unsuccessfully, to assassinate William and restore James to the throne.

A significant crisis arose from William's lack of children and the death in 1700 of his nephew, Prince William, Duke of Gloucester—the son of his sister-in-law Anne. This left the Protestant succession in jeopardy. To avert this constitutional crisis, the Act of Settlement 1701 was enacted. This crucial piece of legislation bypassed several Catholic claimants and firmly placed distant Protestant relatives, the Hanoverians, in line to the British throne. Upon William's death in 1702, he was succeeded in Britain by Anne, Mary's sister. The title of Prince of Orange passed to his cousin, John William Friso, initiating the Second Stadtholderless period in the Dutch Republic, where the office of Stadtholder remained vacant in several provinces for an extended time.

Frequently Asked Questions About King William III

Who was King William III?

King William III was a Dutch prince who became King of England, Ireland, and Scotland from 1689 to 1702, ruling jointly with his wife, Queen Mary II. He was also the sovereign Prince of Orange and a Stadtholder in the Dutch Republic.

What was his connection to the Dutch Republic?

William III was born the sovereign Prince of Orange and served as Stadtholder (chief executive and military leader) of several key provinces in the Dutch Republic for decades before becoming a British monarch.

How did William III become King of England?

He became King of England through the Glorious Revolution of 1688, where he invaded England with the support of influential British leaders to depose his Catholic uncle and father-in-law, King James II, and protect Protestant liberties.

What was the Glorious Revolution?

The Glorious Revolution was a largely bloodless overthrow of King James II by William of Orange in 1688, which led to William and Mary taking the throne and fundamentally reshaped the British monarchy towards parliamentary supremacy.

What role did Queen Mary II play in his reign?

Queen Mary II ruled as co-monarch alongside William III. She frequently served as regent, governing Britain effectively while William was abroad leading military campaigns, particularly during the Nine Years' War.

What was the Act of Settlement?

The Act of Settlement of 1701 was a crucial British law passed during William III's reign to ensure a Protestant succession to the throne, designating the Hanoverian line as the heirs, thus averting a constitutional crisis due to William's lack of children.