1851 AD founded

The Minnesota Territorial Legislature drafted a charter for the U of M as a territorial university in 1851, seven years before Minnesota became a state.

It was founded in Minneapolis in 1851 as a college preparatory school and struggled in its early years relying on donations to stay open from donors including South Carolina Governor William Aiken Jr.

In 1867, the university received land grant status through the Morrill Act of 1862.

An 1876 donation from flour miller John S. Pillsbury is generally credited with saving the school. Since then, Pillsbury has become known as "The Father of the University". Pillsbury Hall is named in his honor.

Minneapolis, MN
Lattitude: 44.9819° N
Longitude: 93.2691° W
Region: North America
North America
Modern Day United States
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