George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives

William Allen, Administrative Records, 1820-1839.

.5 linear feet.

Catalog Number: 1.2.3

Agency History /
Biographical Note:
The Reverend William Allen (1784-1868), an evangelical Congregationalist, served as Bowdoin's third president from 1820 until 1839. He was largely responsible for establishing the Medical School of Maine at Bowdoin College in 1820. In the 1820's, he played a role in determining the College's political and legal status within the new state of Maine.

In 1831, the Maine Legislature passed an act prohibiting any president of a college in Maine to hold his position beyond commencement of that year, unless he was re-elected. Unable to attain a majority, Allen was dismissed in September 1831, only to be reinstated following the decision in the case of Allen vs. McKeen. In that case, Judge Joseph Story ruled that Bowdoin College was a private institution, and as such was not under the legislative control of Maine. This however, did not solve the personality and ideological conflicts that consistently alienated Allen from the Governing Boards, faculty and students. He resigned in 1839.

Scope and Content:
General correspondence concerning College affairs. Most primary source material concerning the early administration of the College is found in the records of the Board of Trustees or in the Records of the Faculty which includes the records of the Executive Government.

Cite as: William Allen, Administrative Records. George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives. Bowdoin College Library.

Access Restrictions: None.