Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University, records

The Sheffield Scientific School, like the Graduate School, had its origins in the Department of Philosophy and the Arts established in 1847. It was given its name by the Yale Corporation in 1861 in recognition of the support of Joseph Earl Sheffield of New Haven who not only gave the first building but also provided funds for its equipment and development. Subsequently he made other gifts and finally bequeathed to a corporation, the Board of Trustees of the Sheffield S cientific School, a substantial endowment which was to be held and adninistered by the Trustees for the benefit of the natural, physical, and mathematical sciences in Yale University.

Sheffield was one of the first schools of higher education in the United States to devote its curriculum specifically to scientific training. The School played an important part in the evolution of American higher learning from the strict classical model of education t o a curriculum which encompassed a liberal scientific education.

The faculty of the School conducted graduate as well as undergraduate courses i n the sciences and engineering until 1919 when the former were discontinued. In 1932, engineering instruction was transferred to the newly organized Yale School of Engineering. In 1945 Sheffield resumed its original function of teaching at the graduate level. Under the general administration of the Graduate School, its faculty furnished instruction to graduate students in the sciences and mathematics who were M.A. and Ph.D. candidates. In 1956 the School's functions were absorbed by the Graduate School. The Directors of Sheffield Scientific School were: George Jarvis Brush, 1872-1898; Russell Henry Chittenden, 1898-1922; Charles Hyde Warren, 1922-1945; Edmund Ware Linnott, 1945-1956.

For further information seeHistory of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, 1846-1922 by Russell H. Chittenden (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1928).

1846

Yale establishes professorships of Agricultural Chemistry and Applied Chemistry "for the purpose of giving instruction to graduates and others not members of the undergraduate classes"

1847

"a School of Applied Chemistry" is embraced within the newly created Department of Philosophy and the Arts

1852

authorization of the Bachelor of Philosophy degree to be awrded by the Department of Philosophy and the Arts

professorship of Civil Engineering established the Yale School of Engineering is organized under William A. Norton

1853-1854

Science (School of Applied Chemistry) and engineering (School of Engineering) courses are independent, but classed together in the catalogue under "the aegis of a non-existent institution"- the Yale Scientific School

1856

"Proposed Plan for a complete organization of the School of Science" and "Appeal in Behalf of the Yale Scientific School, with an Index": fundraising pamphlets issued

1858

Joseph Earl Sheffield donates funds and property on the northeast comer of Grove and Prospect Streets to the Scientific School

1860-1932

Engineering courses are offered in the Scientific School

1860

degree in Civil Engineering established

degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the Scientific School established

1861

Yale Scientific School becomes the Sheffield Scientific School in recognition of the continuous generosity of Joseph Earl Sheffield

1863

the Sheffield Scientific School, through an Act of the Connecticut General Assembly, begins to receive the income from the Land Grant Fund of the State

1866

courses in Mining and Metallurgy announced

"Public Lectures to Mechanics " instituted, later known as the "Sheffield Lectures", given for 45 years

1870

First Yale Scientific Expedition organized by Professor Othniel Marsh

1871

Articles of Incorporation of the Board of Trustees of the Sheffield Scientific School drawn up a t the suggestion of Joseph Earl Sheffield. Board to consist of nine directors including the Governor of Connecticut, the President of Yale University, the Chairman of the Trustees of the Peabody Museum and at least three professors in the Sheffield Scientific School

1872-1898

George Jarvis Brush, Director of the Sheffield Scientific School

1877

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station established on a permanent basis by the Connecticut General Assembly with one of its Board of Control to be elected by the Trustees of the Sheffield Scientific School

1893

The Connecticut General Assembly passes an Act making Storrs Agricultural College the Land Grant College of Connecticut. Damages amounting to $154,604.45 were paid to the University and became a part of the permanent funds of the Sheffield Scientific School

1897

Semi-centennial celebration of the Sheffield Scientific School

1898-1922

Russell Henry Chittenden, Director of the Sheffield Scientific School

1905

Pierson-Sage Square property acquired for development of University laboratories

1913

land purchased at East Lyme for a field engineering camp

1916

"Students in the Sheffield Scientific School who are able to comply with the entrance requirements of the School of Medicine may combine their College and Medical courses, entering the School of Medicine at the beginning of their third College year"

1918

Voted "that in the opinion of the Corporation, the reasons which led to the establishment and maintenance of a course of 'Selected Studies in language, literature, history and Natural and Social Sciences' under the administration of the Faculty of the Sheffield Scientific School are no longer valid"

1918-1919

graduate courses are transferred to the Graduate School

general reorganization of the educational structure of Yale University. Three year "Select" course at the Shef f ield Scientific School eliminated. A four year course of study "for students who wished to undertake the professional study of science and engineering" established

1919-1945

only undergraduate courses taught at the Sheffield Scientific School

1922

first award of the degree of Bachelor of Science to the graduating class of the Sheffield Scientific School

1922-1945

Charles Kyde Warren, Dean

1932-1962

the School of Engineering re-established. Sheffield Scientific School engineering courses transferred to the new school

1945

the Sheffield Scientific School resumes its original function of graduate level instruction in science. Undergraduate courses for a Bachelor of Science transferred t o Yale College. Undergraduate courses for a Bachelor of Science in industrial administration transferred to the School of Engineering

1945-1956

Edmund Ware Sinnott, Director (also Dean of the Graduate School, 1950-1956)

1947

Centennial celebration of the Sheffield Scientific School

1956

termination of the Sheffield Scientific School as an active school although the Board of Trustees still exists to oversee the Sheffield Scientific School property and meet legal requirements. Yale University Provost becomes Chairman of the Board. Faculty is defined as teachers of science to graduate students under the Division of Science

1967

North Sheffield Hall (1872-1873) and Winchester Hall (1892) removed to provide site for a new laboratory