Collection on Xavier University Histories

Collection

Identifier: XUA-113

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of published and unpublished histories of Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) beginning with its origins as the Athenaeum in 1831.

Dates

circa 1920-2017

Creator

Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use. Materials must be viewed by appointment in the Archives Research Room.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is held by Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials.

Biographical / Historical

Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) was founded in 1831 by Bishop Edward Fenwick as the Athenaeum, a college dedicated to religion and the liberal arts. In 1840, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) assumed responsibility of the Athenaeum at the request of Cincinnati Archbishop John Purcell. The Jesuits renamed the school St. Xavier College. John Elet, SJ, served as the first Jesuit president of the college. After renovations, the school opened on November 3, 1840. The state of Ohio granted a charter to the college for thirty years in 1842 and then the general assembly of the state of Ohio passed an Act of Incorporation for the college in 1869. On August 4, 1930, the college changed its name to Xavier University. Originally located in downtown Cincinnati on Sycamore Street between 6th and 7th streets, the University purchased land in the Avondale/Norwood/Evanston area in 1911 and moved the University operations there in 1919.

Extent

.6 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of published and unpublished histories of Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) beginning with its origins as the Athenaeum in 1831.

Arrangement

Materials are organized in chronological order by estimated creation date.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The majority of the materials were gathered by University Archives staff over time and collocated into a single collection beginning in 2013. Collection also contains gifts from C. Walker Gollar (2013 and 2017) and Fr. Dennis Ahern, SJ, (2012 and 2016).