Department of Classical Studies
Benjamin Franklin's "Proposals relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania" (1749), justly celebrated for its innovative emphasis on practical instruction, called for the creation of a new educational institution that would rely on both an existing English library and a classical one. In his subsequent Paper on the Academy (1750) and "Idea of the English School" (1751), however, Franklin emphasized the study of English over Greek and Latin.
Under Franklin's presidency, the Academy of Philadelphia began offering instruction in 1751. Two years later, at Franklin's invitation, William Smith joined the Academy as a teacher of natural philosophy and logic; and in 1755, when the Academy was rechartered as the College of Philadelphia, Smith became its first Provost. The College consisted of three Schools: the English School, the Mathematics School, and the Latin School. The liberal arts curriculum of the Latin School prepared students for entrance into the College. Instruction began at age nine and progressed through four levels:
First form or stage — included grammar and conjugation, vocabulary, and beginning of writing in Latin. Readings were Senentiae Pueriles, Cordery, Aesop and Erasmus. English writing, reading and speaking were continued as well.
Second stage — included Latin grammar, exercises and writing. Readings were Selectae e veteri Testamento, Selectae e Profanis Auctoribus, Eurtopius, Nepos, and Metamorphosis.
Third stage — included geography and chronology as well as exercises and writing. Readings were Metamorphosis (cont.), Vergil with Parsody, Caesar's Comment, Sallust, Greek Testament.
Fourth stage — included review of Vergil, reading of Horace, Terence, Livy, Lucian, and the beginning of Xenophon or Homer.
Admission to the College was determined after a demanding examination of applicants by the Trustees. Once admitted, students were expected to complete a course of study that was designed to last at least three years. It included Latin and Greek, mathematics and natural science, and ethics, along with English and oratory. After completing the freshman, junior and senior years, students were again examined before receiving their bachelor's degrees at the commencement ceremony.Benjamin Franklin's "Proposals relating to the Education of Youth in Pensilvania" (1749), justly celebrated for its innovative emphasis on practical instruction, called for the creation of a new educational institution that would rely on both an existing English library and a classical one. In his subsequent Paper on the Academy (1750) and "Idea of the English School" (1751), however, Franklin emphasized the study of English over Greek and Latin.
Under Franklin's presidency, the Academy of Philadelphia began offering instruction in 1751. Two years later, at Franklin's invitation, William Smith joined the Academy as a teacher of natural philosophy and logic; and in 1755, when the Academy was rechartered as the College of Philadelphia, Smith became its first Provost. The College consisted of three Schools: the English School, the Mathematics School, and the Latin School. The liberal arts curriculum of the Latin School prepared students for entrance into the College. Instruction began at age nine and progressed through four levels:
First form or stage — included grammar and conjugation, vocabulary, and beginning of writing in Latin. Readings were Senentiae Pueriles, Cordery, Aesop and Erasmus. English writing, reading and speaking were continued as well.
Second stage — included Latin grammar, exercises and writing. Readings were Selectae e veteri Testamento, Selectae e Profanis Auctoribus, Eurtopius, Nepos, and Metamorphosis.
Third stage — included geography and chronology as well as exercises and writing. Readings were Metamorphosis (cont.), Vergil with Parsody, Caesar's Comment, Sallust, Greek Testament.
Fourth stage — included review of Vergil, reading of Horace, Terence, Livy, Lucian, and the beginning of Xenophon or Homer.
Admission to the College was determined after a demanding examination of applicants by the Trustees. Once admitted, students were expected to complete a course of study that was designed to last at least three years. It included Latin and Greek, mathematics and natural science, and ethics, along with English and oratory. After completing the freshman, junior and senior years, students were again examined before receiving their bachelor's degrees at the commencement ceremony.