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Benjamin Hallowell

Benjamin Hallowell (1799-1877) was president of the Maryland Agricultural College for one month.

The Quaker schoolmaster, noted scientist and farmer from Montgomery County was appointed president on Oct. 4, 1859, two days before the college opened. He had been in close consultation with the trustees since the college was chartered in 1856, but the board announced his appointment at the opening ceremonies without notifying him first. 

Hallowell accepted on condition that the college farm not use slave labor and that he serve without salary.

He arrived six weeks later at the fledgling school six weeks later and helped develop the curriculum—ancient and modern languages, natural sciences, English and mathematics—as well as strict standards for discipline, religion and physical training.

Hallowell resigned due to illness after 30 days.

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Spanning 12 schools and colleges, Maryland offers more than 300 degree-granting programs, many of them ranked among the best in the country. Our faculty includes two Nobel laureates, three Pulitzer Prize winners, 58 members of the national academies and scores of Fulbright scholars. And our students, who include the highest achievers in the state and nation, enjoy experiences unique to our location just outside the nation’s capital, including internships, research, and leadership and service opportunities.

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