Coronavirus Update

Dickinson is planning for a full return of students in the fall. Visit the Campus Reopening Page for the latest info and to view the dashboard.

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History of the College

Dickinson has a long history of creating the future.

Chartered in 1783 by Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a prominent Philadelphia physician, Dickinson was the first college established in the new United States of America.

The Dickinson Story

Revolution was in the air when Benjamin Rush, a prominent Philadelphia physician, prepared the charter for Dickinson College in 1783.

D-Book

This booklet, which was developed by students, offers a selective history of the college and is distributed each year to incoming students.

Archives & Special Collections

The Dickinson Archives & Special Collections has compiled several resources that trace the history of the college.

History of the College

The Dickinson Story

D-Book

Archives & Special Collections

Recent News on the History of the College All News

House Divided Launches Dickinson & Slavery Historic Walking Tour

SNAPSHOTS: How the Dickinson Community Experienced the COVID-19 Pandemic

From Gilded Age to COVID-19: Exhibition Highlights Our Changing Relationships With Photography

Dickinson College