AND The University of Pennsylvania 179 



of "The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania." 

 The Governor of the State was made ex-officio a mem- 

 ber of the board of trustees, and an annual statement 

 of the funds was to be laid before the legislature. Thus 

 were the dreams and ambition of Franklin — the founder 

 — realized by a redemption of the pledge of the Con- 

 stitution of 1776 that "all useful learning shall be duly 

 encouraged and promoted in one or more universities." 



In his autobiography Franklin refers in moderate 

 terms, but with conscious pride, to his association with 

 the University. He says, " I have been continued one of 

 its Trustees from the beginning, now near forty years, 

 and have had the very great pleasure of seeing a number 

 of the youth who have received their education in it 

 distinguished by their improved abilities, serviceable 

 in public stations and ornaments to their country." 



In calling the bead roll of distinguished names related 

 to the institution, either as teachers, trustees or gradu- 

 ates, it is a matter of interest to note that of the class of 

 1757 there was Benjamin West, the painter, the founder 

 of the Royal Academy and its President from 1792 to 

 1815; that nearly one sixth of the signers of the Declara- 

 tion of Independence were University of Pennsylvania 

 men. Franklin was the founder and a trustee; James 

 Wilson was a trustee and a professor; Benjamin Rush 

 was a professor; Robert Morris, James Smith, Thomas 

 McKean and George Clymer were trustees; and Francis 



