Biography j sternstein columbia university history

The history of Columbia University began prior to its founding in 1754 in New York City as King's College, by royal charter of King George II of Great Britain.

It is the oldest institution of higher learning in New York state, and the fifth-oldest in the United States.

Founding of King's College

The period leading up to the school's founding was marked by controversy, with various groups competing to determine its location and religious affiliation.

Advocates of New York City met with success on the first point, while the Church of England prevailed on the latter. However, all constituencies agreed to commit themselves to principles of religious liberty in establishing the policies of the College.^[1]

Although DutchNew Amsterdam and the entire island of Manhattan had officially been ceded to the Kingdom of Great Britain in February 1674 with the Treaty of Westminster, no serious discussions as to the founding of a university in