Andrews, John Appleton, Samuel Page Benson, James Ware Bradbury, Ephraim W. Senator William Pierce Frye and Elijah Kellogg, author and clergyman. Senator, and Governor Congressman and U.S. Senator and Secretary of State John Fairfield, Congressman, U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader William S. Others among Bowdoin’s graduates are George J. Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson is a Bowdoin graduate, as was poet Robert P.T. Its Coastal Studies Center in Harpswell opened in 1998, providing research opportunities for its faculty and staff, and a nature preserve with hiking trails for the public. Coles Tower residence and dining facility, built in 1964, at sixteen floors is by far the tallest building for miles around. In 1997 Bowdoin adopted an innovative House System which connects all first-year students with upper-class houses, and includes all students in a system designed to build and deepen the learning community at the College. And many worked behind the scenes as well, most notably Governor Andrews of Massachusetts, Bowdoin Class of 1837, who was responsible for forming the famous 54th Massachusetts regiment of black soldiers. Bowdoin’s residence hall, Howard Hall, is named for him.Īfter the war, the College contended that a larger percentage of Bowdoin’s alumni fought in the Civil War than those of any other college in the North.

He founded Howard University in 1867 and served as the school’s first president from 1869 to 1874. Oliver Otis Howard born in Leeds, Bowdoin Class of 1850, was a Civil War hero. Ellis Spear, another Bowdoin graduate, was Chamberlain’s second in command at Gettysburg. He defended Little Round Top at the Battle of Gettysburg, later receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow taught modern languages at Bowdoin from 1829 to 1835 and was arguably the most popular literary figure in nineteenth century America.Ĭolonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, class of 1852, took command of the 20th Maine Infantry in 1863. Articles about Maine history, government, ecology, economy, recreation, towns, natural features, famous people, sports, with maps, photos, and videos.

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