Saint Louis Academy (later Saint Louis University) founded

Background. Louis William Valentine DuBourg, a French Catholic prelate and Sulpician missionary, arrived in the United States in July 1817. He served as the Bishop of Louisiana and the Two Floridas, building up the church in the vast new territory. In January 1818, he arrived in St. Louis, where he remained for five years. His efforts in the region included establishing educational institutions, culminating in the founding of the Saint Louis Academy in November 1818.

Founding of the Academy. The Saint Louis Academy was founded on November 16, 1818, by Bishop DuBourg. It was placed under the charge of François Niel and other secular clergy attached to the Saint Louis Cathedral. The academy initially operated in a two-story building for 65 students, utilizing DuBourg's personal library of 8,000 volumes. This institution is recognized as the oldest university west of the Mississippi River.

Transition to Jesuit Control. In 1820, the name Saint Louis Academy was changed to Saint Louis College, though the secondary school division remained as Saint Louis Academy. On January 7, 1824, DuBourg offered the Jesuits to assume control of the academy. The Jesuits accepted this offer in 1827, and Peter Verhaegen became the first Jesuit president. The institution was later chartered as Saint Louis University.