Thursday, March 20, 2025

Question: Which Tennessee university was originally charted as Central University?

Answer: Vanderbilt University was established in 1872 under the name Central University by the Southern branch of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1873, shipping and railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt donated $1,000,000, leading to the school’s founding as Vanderbilt University. Classes officially began two years later. Initially, the university included departments for academics, Bible studies, law, and medicine, while preparatory classes were offered until 1887.