GOV. JONATHAN BELCHER

 

Arguably Princeton's Greatest "Forgotten" Benefactor

 

In the long history of Princeton University, there have been prominent benefactors whose names grace its many buildings, grounds, facilities, professorships and scholarships. However, the conspicuous absence of one name-- that of Governor Jonathan Belcher-- is telling, for it was his many contributions to Princeton that helped make it the institution we know today. And if it were not for one act of magnanimous generousity by Belcher, "Princeton" might not even exist.

  Jonathan Belcher was governor of the Province of New Jersey from 1747 until 1757, and granted the institution its second charter. In 1755, the Trustees declared him as "its founder, patron, and benefactor."

  Although educated at Harvard (Class of 1699), Belcher served as Governor of both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, before running afoul with political enemies in 1741, which led to his dismissal. After living in England for several years, he was able to convince the English court that he had been maligned, and was subsequently appointed governor of New Jersey. Here he set about championing the cause of the infant college for "better enlightening the minds and polishing the manners of this and neighboring colonies." Finding the legality of the College's original charter under attack-- it had been granted by Acting Governor John Hamilton whose authority was questioned-- Belcher granted a second one on September 14, 1748. Eight weeks later, at the first commencement, the trustees conferred on Belcher Princeton's first honorary degree.

  Belcher encouraged the trustees to raise funds for a college building and a house for the president. In a dispute over the eventual location of the college, Belcher favored Princeton, "as near the center of the Province as any and a fine situation."

  Just before the College moved from Newark to Princeton, Belcher donated his library of 474 volumes, his full-length portrait, his carved and gilded coat-of-arms, a pair of terrestial globes, and ten framed portraits of the queens and kings of England. Most of these items were destroyed during the Revolutionary War, although six of his books survived, and he is considered the library's oldest benefactor, and his coat-of-arms is carved over the entrance to the library along with that of the University. The portrait of Belcher that now hangs in Nassau Hall was obtained from an English descendant of the governor and presented to the University in 1953.

  However, perhaps Belcher's most magnificent act in behalf of Princeton was when he said, "No." In an expression of appreciation for all that he had done for the developing college, the Trustees asked him for permission to name the first building in his honor. Happily for us, he respectfully decline, instead persuading them to name it Nassau Hall, for the "glorious King William the Third...of the Illustrious House of Nassau."

  Had he not done so, the building we know as Nassau Hall might well have gone through history bearing his name-- Belcher Hall!