Roger Williams University was a historically black college incorporated in 1883 by Daniel W. Phillips (c. 1810-1890.) Originally established in 1866 as the Nashville Normal and Theological Institute, in 1882 it was renamed for Roger Williams (1603-1683), the founder of the first Baptist church in America. In 1874 it settled on a 28-acre campus next to Hillsboro Pike. It became the largest Baptist school for educating African-Americans. In 1905 a series of fires destroyed most of the school, which re-opened in 1908 at a new campus on Whites Creek Pike. In 1929, it merged with Howe Institute and relocated to Memphis.
Roger Williams University
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Description
Roger Williams University was a historically black college incorporated in 1883 by Daniel W. Phillips (c. 1810-1890.) Originally established in 1866 as the Nashville Normal and Theological Institute, in 1882 it was renamed for Roger Williams (1603-1683), the founder of the first Baptist church in America. In 1874 it settled on a 28-acre campus next to Hillsboro Pike. It became the largest Baptist school for educating African-Americans. In 1905 a series of fires destroyed most of the school, which re-opened in 1908 at a new campus on Whites Creek Pike. In 1929, it merged with Howe Institute and relocated to Memphis.