WU, 1990-1999, Vertical File

In 1853, prominent St. Louis merchant Wayman Crow along with his pastor and local leader, William Greenleaf Eliot Jr., founded Washington University in St. Louis. The university flourished at its original location in downtown St. Louis for 50 years. It grew from an evening program to an institution offering a full slate of scientific, liberal arts, and classical course offerings. The university added schools of law and fine arts, and in 1891, the school acquired the St. Louis Medical College to form its own medical school as well.

In 1905, board president Robert S. Brookings moved the university to the Hilltop Campus (now called Danforth Campus) on the western edge of the city. Ten years later, Brookings relocated the medical school to western edge of the city as well on the east end of Forest Park, and he personally financed over $500,000 for the construction of the new medical campus.

The university flourished in the 20th century, particularly under the leadership of William H. Danforth who served as the university’s 13th chancellor from 1971-1995. Danforth stabilized the university's finances, built stronger ties with the St. Louis community, and led to the university's recognition as a national and international leader in higher education