William M. Blackburn Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OGLMC-116

Scope and Contents

The William M. Blackburn Papers, 1855-1910, consist primarily of his handwritten sermons. Most of the sermons were delivered on multiple occasions and are arranged chronologically by the date the sermon was first delivered. Also included are several folders of miscellaneous untitled manuscripts and two folders of correspondence. Also included is a copy of Blackburn’s sermon “The Crime Against the Presidency” reproduced on microfiche. The sermon was delivered Sunday, April 16, 1865, at the Fourth Presbyterian Church, in Trenton, New Jersey. This was the first Sunday following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

Dates

created: 1855-1904

Creator

Blackburn, William (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

See more See less

On April 9, 1884, William Maxwell Blackburn accepted the presidency of the University of North Dakota. Blackburn graduated from Princeton Seminary in 1854 and came to UND as its first president after thirty years of pastoral and ecclesiastical academic positions; his last two at the Theological Seminary of the Northwest, Chicago, and Central Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. Blackburn had established a solid reputation for his scholarly work and in addition served UND as a professor of Mental, Moral, and Political Science. President Blackburn faced numerous challenges in organizing and administrating the new university, particularly in establishing the academic curriculum. Blackburn favored a more practical curriculum open to all, including mechanics and agriculture, while his colleagues, professors Webster Merrifield and Henry Montgomery, favored a classical liberal arts curriculum. UND Regents supported Merrifield and Montgomery and Blackburn was dismissed. After his one year presidency at UND, Blackburn became president of Pierre University in South Dakota.

Note written by

Full Extent

0.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

1st President of the University of North Dakota, 1884-1885

Method of Acquisition

Donation; the acquisition records are unavailable

Accruals and Additions

Additional materials were donated by Ken Smith, Crookston, Minnesota, on July 14, 1997 (97-2132).

Separated Materials

Also included is a copy of Blackburn’s sermon “The Crime Against the Presidency” reproduced on microfiche. The sermon was delivered on Sunday, April 16, 1865, at the Fourth Presbyterian Church, in Trenton, New Jersey. This was the first Sunday following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The microfiche is in the microfiche cabinet in the Family History Room.