Clemson University founded

Background. Thomas Green Clemson, a politician and statesman, died in 1888 leaving his estate to establish a college. His will specified a land-grant institution on the Fort Hill property to teach scientific agriculture and mechanical arts. Although he did not explicitly ban women or African-Americans in the text, his intent was to create an institution that excluded them, resulting in a de facto all-white, all-male college.

Establishment. In November 1889, South Carolina Governor John Peter Richardson III signed the bill establishing the Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina. This action transferred federal funds from the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act and the Hatch Act from South Carolina College to the new institution. The college was founded as a military college, reflecting Clemson's vision for a high seminary of learning.