The college of William and Mary is a world renowned academic institution, having educated many presidents, such as Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler. As of 2003, the College of William and Mary was ranked number 33 in national universities. The university is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and is most noted as a research university.
On this day February 6th, in 1693, the College of William and Mary was granted a royal charter by King William and Queen Mary, whom the university was named after. Interestingly enough, the university was meant to educate both colonists and Native Americans.
The university consisted of three colleges. The Philosophy School dealt with ethics, logic, and rhetoric. The School of Natural Philosophy taught physics, metaphysics, and mathematics. Once students had studied at both of these schools they went on to study in the School of Divinity where they would be primed for ordination with the Church of England.