The Beginning: 1824-1869
1824
David Daggett becomes co-proprietor of the “New Haven Law School,” joining Samuel J. Hitchcock in operating a school formerly run by Seth Perkins Staples in his law office, with Hitchcock purchasing some of Staples' library. The Founders’ ties to slavery and their influence on American law through the 20th century are detailed in a Lillian Goldman Law Library exhibit titled, “Race, Slavery & the Founders of Yale Law School.”
Pictured: 1879 map of New Haven from the Library of Congress.
1824
A separate listing of “Law Students,” including some from the Staples-Hitchcock school, begins to appear in the Yale College catalogue. This is traditionally accepted as the founding of Yale Law School, although the founding was actually more of a gradual affiliation with Yale over a period of decades.
1826
Yale College catalogue includes a description of "The Law School."
1838
Tuition is increased from $75 to $100 per year.
1843
The first Bachelor's Degree in Law is conferred by the Yale Corporation.
1845
Yale considers dissolving the Law School when Samuel Hitchcock dies and David Daggett is unable to carry on. New Haven lawyers supply funding for Yale to purchase Samuel Hitchcock's law library, a measure that was crucial to the continuance of the Law School.
Pictured: The Law Library in Hendrie Hall.
1846
The Law School is recognized as a department by the Yale Corporation.
1850
Yale Law School moves to the Leffingwell Building, next door to its previous location in the Hitchcock Building.
Pictured: Hitchcock Building (extreme left) and Leffingwell Building (center).
1851
Yale Law Association (alumni association) is founded, with Clark Bissell as President.
Pictured: Reunion dinner for the Class of 1923.
1867
Because there is only one instructor, who is distracted by his law practice, Yale Law School dwindles to only 16 students in attendance.
Pictured: The combined class of 1866 and 1867.
1869
Yale considers closing the Law School because of lack of endowment, faculty, and students. Simeon E. Baldwin [attended Yale Law School 1861–1862], William C. Robinson, and Johnson T. Platt continue the work of instruction, with Baldwin eventually becoming the School's benefactor and carrying it into the 20th century.
