HISTORY

Penn Law has as distinguished a history as any law school in America.

James Wilson, signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Justice of our first Supreme Court, delivered the University’s first lectures in law in 1790. He presented his views on topics in law at a series of influential lectures to President George Washington and the members of his cabinet.

Following this auspicious beginning, Penn began offering a full-time program in law in 1850, under the leadership of George Sharswood, an innovator in legal education. Since that time, Penn Law has been at the forefront of legal education in our country.

You may wish to review our history, as well as the history of our buildings and a timeline of important events, in the following sections:

“Chiseling Legal Tradition” – a complete review of the Law School’s history by legal historian and Professor Sarah Barringer Gordon.

Timeline – a quick look at some of the important dates in Penn Law’s history.

Penn Law Portraits – review the collection of portraits that hang in our halls.