The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1740 and now offers a wide range of academic programs across its 12 schools, including the School of Arts and Sciences, the Wharton School of Business, and the School of Engineering and Applied Science.The university is known for its strong research programs and has produced many notable alumni, including 14 heads of state, 25 billionaires, and 3 United States Supreme Court justices. The university has also been associated with many important discoveries and inventions, including the discovery of the Hepatitis B virus and the development of the first general-purpose electronic computer.

The original building is on the left, and the dormitory (or New Building) on the right. This is the only known contemporary view to exist.

Reproduction of an original pencil sketch

Procession entering the New Building, home of the College, to hear first Professor of Law James Wilson

Where College’s first Provost William Smith (1755-1779) taught his classes February to April, 1758 Professor of ethics 1754-1791 Secretary of board of trustees 1764-1790 President of board of trustees 1790-1791

Photo print of original engraving “Library and Surgeons Hall in Fifth Street Philadelphia”, 1799

Derived from a detail of print “Library and Surgeons Hall in Fifth Street Philadelphia”

After the return of the Fourth and Arch Street campus to the trustees of the College of Philadelphia, the University of the State of Pennsylvania leased the Hall of the American Philosophical Society. After the 1791 union of these two institutions as the University of Pennsylvania, this building was no longer needed.

Looking east from 10th and Market Streets, before 1806-1807

Drawing by Armstrong, engraved by Kneass, Young and Company

with Medical Department wing (at left of view).

After the 1817 addition of the cupola to the Medical Department wing

The small residences at rear of church may have been used as anatomical laboratories

with St. Stephen’s Church in the background

in preparation for the University’s move to West Philadelphia &nbsp;

The good Education of Youth has been esteemed by wise Men in all Ages, as the surest Foundation of the Happiness both of private Families and of Common-wealths. Almost all Governments have therefore made it a principal Object of their Attention, to establish and endow with proper Revenues, such Seminaries of Learning, as might supply the succeeding Age with Men qualified to serve the Publick with Honour to themselves, and to their Country.1Many of the first Settlers of these Provinces, were Men who had received a good Education in Europe, and to their Wisdom and good Management we owe much of our present Prosperity. But their Hands were full, and they could not do all Things. The present Race are not thought to be generally of equal Ability: For though the American Youth are allow’d not to want Capacity; yet the best Capacities require Cultivation, it being truly with them, as with the best Ground, which unless well tilled and sowed with profitable Seed, produces only ranker Weeds.That we may obtain the Advantages arising from an Increase of Knowledge, and prevent as much as may be the mischievous Consequences that would attend a general Ignorance among us, the following Hints are offered towards forming a Plan for the Education of the Youth of Pennsylvania, viz.

University of Pennsylvania

current

current Images

current Drawings and documents

1829 - Rebuilt

1829 - Rebuilt - Images

1790 - Constructed

1790 - Constructed - Images

1740 - Established

1740 - Established - Images

1740 - Established - Drawings and documents