Franklin College (New Athens, Ohio) facts for kids
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| Type | Private, Coed |
|---|---|
| Active | 1818–1919 |
| Location | , , |
| Affiliations | Presbyterian church |
Franklin College was a special school in New Athens, Ohio. It was started in 1818 by John Walker, a minister who was also an abolitionist. An abolitionist is someone who worked to end slavery. The college was first called Alma College, but its name changed to Franklin College in 1825.
A Look Back at Franklin College
Franklin College had an interesting history. During the American Civil War, classes had to stop because most of the students left to join the military. But the college reopened in 1867 with 40 students. It continued to teach students until 1919. After it closed, it was connected with Muskingum College for a few years until 1927. Today, the old college building is home to the Franklin Museum, which shares the story of the college and its past.
Important People from Franklin College
Over its more than 100 years, Franklin College helped educate many important people.
- Two governors of states studied there.
- Eight people who became U.S. Senators went to Franklin College.
- Nine people who became U.S. Congressmen also attended.
- Twenty people who became state lawmakers in Ohio were students.
The college was also special because it welcomed students from different backgrounds.
- Titus Basfield, an African-American student who had been a slave, graduated from Franklin College.
- Several important women also studied and graduated from the college.
While at Franklin College, Titus Basfield became good friends with his classmate John Bingham. John Bingham later became very famous. He was the main person who wrote the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment is very important because it granted citizenship and equal rights to African Americans after the Civil War. John Bingham also served as the top American diplomat in Japan from 1873 to 1875.
See also
- Franklin College Building No. 5
- John Bingham
- William McMillan (college president)
