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Wilberforce University is formed in Ohio

Wilberforce University (WU) is a private university in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is one of three historically black universities established before the American Civil War.

Wilberforce University (WU) is a private university in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is one of three historically black universities established before the American Civil War. Founded in 1856 by the Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC), it is named after English statesman and abolitionist William Wilberforce. In 1863, it was sold to the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), which had ties to the school since its inception. WU remains affiliated with the AME.

Beginning in 1887, WU operated as a partially state-funded and partially private institution. Concerns over the separation of church and state led WU's theology department to separate and establish the independent Payne Theological Seminary.

Historical Significance

Wilberforce University (WU) is a private university in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States.

Events Before

  1. British preacher and Salvation Army founder William Booth (26) weds British Salvation Army co-founder Catherine Mumford

    British preacher and Salvation Army founder William Booth (26) weds British Salvation Army co-founder Catherine Mumford (26) at Stockwell Green Congregational Church in Surrey, England

  2. Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart (22) weds Flora Cooke in Fort Riley, Kansas

    Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart (22) weds Flora Cooke in Fort Riley, Kansas

  3. Scottish explorer David Livingstone becomes the first European to see Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall, which he christens as Vic

    Scottish explorer David Livingstone becomes the first European to see Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall, which he christens as Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River in Barotseland, Africa (now Zambia and Zimbabwe)

  4. Clipper "Guiding Star" disappears in Atlantic, 480 dead

    Clipper "Guiding Star" disappears in Atlantic, 480 dead

  5. First bridge over the Mississippi River in what is now Minneapolis, Minnesota, opens; today known as the Father Louis He

    First bridge over the Mississippi River in what is now Minneapolis, Minnesota, opens; today known as the Father Louis Hennepin Bridge

Events After

  1. Tim Keefe is born

    Tim Keefe, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1857-01-01.

  2. Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel

    Novelist Jules Verne (28) weds Honorine de Viane Morel

  3. National Association of Base Ball Players is founded in New York City

    The National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) was the first organization governing American baseball (spelled as two words in the 19th century). The first convention of 16 New York City area…

  4. University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia

    University of Calcutta is founded as the first full-fledged university in South Asia

  5. Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China

    Second Opium War: France and the United Kingdom declare war on China

More from the 1850s

birth

Alice Mary Robertson is born

Alice Mary Robertson, American politician, known for american politician, was born on 1854-01-02.

birth

Tim Keefe is born

Tim Keefe, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1857-01-01.

City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line

City of Glasgow steamer inaugurates Philadelphia-Liverpool line

National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582

National debt of Britain and Ireland is £765,126,582

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 20, 1856?
Wilberforce University (WU) is a private university in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is one of three historically black universities established before the American Civil War. Founded in 1856 by the Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC), it is named after English statesman and abolitionist William Wilberforce.
Why is Wilberforce University is formed in Ohio significant?
Wilberforce University (WU) is a private university in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States.

Explore More

August 20 in HistoryYear 1856