Since the establishment of the University Of Richmond School Of Law in 1870, the William Taylor Muse Law Library has grown from a collection of 700 books to more than 430,000 volumes of legal material. The Muse Law Library has embraced many changes over the years through the leadership of dedicated library directors and staff. This timeline reflects the development of the Muse Law Library’s service in providing legal information for law students and law faculty, along with the University of Richmond faculty and students, members of the local legal community, and the general public.
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1870
The Law School is founded within Richmond College’s Central Building. The downtown campus was located on Grace Street between Broad and Franklin, Lombardy and Ryland.
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1889
Thomas C. Williams, Sr. attended Richmond College from 1846-1849 and was a successful tobacco merchant. Upon his death in 1889, his family provided a generous endowment to the Law School.
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1890
Class of 1890 - this year was significant as it marked the continuation of the Law School after a period of suspensions due to finances. A $25,000 professorship from Thomas C. Williams Sr.’s family ensured the Law School would continue.
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1893
A law library is established in Jeter Memorial Hall. 700 books were donated by Harriet M. Purcell in honor of her brother Henry Heaton.
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1917
The Law School moved to Columbia Hall on Grace & Lombardy. Columbia Hall is the only building still remaining of the original Richmond College campus.
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1920
The Law School is named in honor of Thomas C. Williams, Sr. and his family, whose generosity continued to benefit the Law School.
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1928
The Law Library collection is expanded from 3,500 volumes to 7,500 to meet ABA accreditation. This photograph shows the Law School’s reading room in Columbia Hall.
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1930
William Taylor Muse earns his LL.B. from Richmond College. He would later serve as the dean of the Law School for 24 years.