190:. The contest was a pivotal one for Dartmouth and for the newly independent nation. It tested the contract clause of the Constitution and arose from an 1816 controversy involving the legislature of the state of New Hampshire, which amended the 1769 charter granted to Eleazar Wheelock, making Dartmouth a public institution and changing its name to
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explained "the vital importance to the well-being of society and the security of private rights of the principles on which the decision rested. Unless I am very much mistaken, these principles will be found to apply with an extensive reach to all the great concerns of the people and will check any
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While the outcome was a tremendous victory for
Dartmouth, the turmoil of the four-year legal battle left the college in perilous financial condition and took its toll on the health of President Brown. His condition steadily deteriorating, the Trustees made provisions, in 1819, for "the senior
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wrote the historic decision in favor of
Dartmouth College, thereby paving the way for all American private institutions to conduct their affairs in accordance with their charters and without interference from the state. In a letter following the proceedings, Justice
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professors...to perform all the public duties pertaining to the Office of
President of the College" in the event of his disability. Francis Brown died in July 1820 at the age of 36.
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undue encroachments on civil rights which the passions or the popular doctrines of the day may stimulate our State
Legislatures to adopt."
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Brown was the son of
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Trustees of
Dartmouth College v. William H. Woodward
146:(January 11, 1784 – July 27, 1820) was an American
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256:American Antiquarian Society Members Directory
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156:Meetinghouse under the Ledge
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174:Biography
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57:In office
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112:Chester
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