The last Colonial governor of New Jersey, William Franklin, signs the charter of Queen’s College (later renamed Rutgers University)

The historical significance of 11th November 1766 in New Jersey cannot be overstated, especially from the perspective of the academic fraternity. This remarkable date marks the instance when William Franklin, the last Colonial governor of New Jersey, inked his signature on the charter of Queen’s College. Today, we know this venerable institution as Rutgers University.

In the hamlet of New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the shadow of the Revolutionary War, the idea of creating a hub for higher education was conceived. On that fateful day of November 1766, Governor William Franklin, the illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin, and the last colonial governor of New Jersey, signed the charter for Queen’s College. Few, at that moment, could envision the global impact that the University, later renamed Rutgers, would have over the centuries that followed.

Governor William Franklin occupies an outstanding position in America’s colonial period. Despite being the son of Benjamin Franklin, a staunch patriot and a figure synonymous with the American Revolution, William remained a devout loyalist. His tenure as the last Colonial governor of New Jersey was marked with strife against patriots and unfaltering allegiance to the British Crown.

As a bridge of paradox between colonial and revolutionary eras, Governor Franklin’s endorsement of a center for higher learning bespoke his own dedication to improving colonial America’s intellectual horizons. Queen’s College, named in honor of Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of England, was thereby founded as a private institution of higher education.

Following its establishment, Queen’s College underwent many transformations, none more significant than the renaming to Rutgers University in 1825, honoring Colonel Henry Rutgers, a Revolutionary War veteran, and philanthropic benefactor. The college, rechristened as Rutgers University, would take on a crucial role in shaping the country’s educational paradigm, becoming one of the highly esteemed Big Ten schools and a member of the Association of American Universities, a confederation of acclaimed higher learning institutions.

Rutgers’ glowing repute as a research university is, in many ways, a perfect echo of Governor Franklin’s original vision for Queen’s College. Despite the tumult of the Revolutionary War, Franklin recognized the importance of an educated society for a prosperous future. His foresight instigated an academic legacy that continues to resonate prominently within New Jersey and indeed, across the world.

Remarkably, the last colonial governor of New Jersey’s name bears an inconspicuous link to this prestigious institution. Franklin Street in New Brunswick stands silently as a nod towards this historical event, the signing of the charter that gave birth to an academic beacon, one that attracts scholars and researchers from myriad disciplines worldwide.

In essence, his enduring legacy lies not only in the chapters of colonial history but also in the prosperous evolution of Rutgers University. His efforts yielded a fertile ground for intellectual growth, making Rutgers University a melting pot of ideas, innovation, and progress over centuries.

The weight of this historical event, the signing of Queen’s College’s charter by the last colonial governor of New Jersey, continues to hold a significant presence in present-day Rutgers. The institution, built upon foundations of aspiration and progress, embodies the essence of this past event in its daily operations. It upholds a resolute commitment to achieving excellence in education and research, an ideal that mirrors the unwavering resolve Franklin showed even in challenging times.

From its humble inception as Queen’s College to its eventual rise as Rutgers University, the impact of this singular event cannot be overstated. It is not just an occurrence in the annals of history, but an enduring testament to the unwavering belief in the power of education, reflected in an institution that continues to uphold this belief–Rutgers University.