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.

Traditions

From signing in and out to stepping on the seal, red chairs to Red Devils, explore the stories behind our time-honored traditions.

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

Traditions

Archives & Special Collections

Recent News on the History of the College All News

Celebrating a Century of Women's Leadership

Remembering Martin Luther King's 1961 Visit to Dickinson

When Was Dickinson Founded? The Debate Is Finally Over (?)