Early History

Letter from the first president of then Atlanta Baptist Seminary, inviting Rev. Jones and his congregation to attend the examinations of classes as well as closing exercises of the seminary.

Graves Hall, built in 1889 under the leadership of the second president, George Sale, was the first building built on the campus of Morehouse College. It has served as a multipurpose building throughout its history. Most notably, it served as a dormitory, to some of Morehouse College’s notable alumni: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (c/o 1948), Maynard Jackson (c/o 1956), and Spike Lee (c/o 1979). In 1991, Graves Hall was listed as Historical Landmark.

Dr. John Hope served as the 4th president and first African American president of Morehouse College. Serving for 25 years (1906-1930), Hope is credited with expanding the college and contributing greatly to the present day shape of the institution through expansion of curriculum and attracting talented faculty and administrators. It was during his administration that the college initiated what would be their last name change—Morehouse College. In 1929, Hope was unanimously chosen to lead the newly affiliated university system comprised of Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Atlanta University.

The Contract of Affiliation was an agreement between presidents Myron Adams (Atlanta University), John Hope (Morehouse College), and Florence Read (Spelman College), formally establishing the affiliation of the three institutions. Spelman and Morehouse Colleges were to serve as institutions of higher learning for undergraduate students while Atlanta University would serve graduate students. The Atlanta University Affiliation marked a milestone among Historically Black Colleges and Universities and was a trailblazing effort for cooperative agreements among American colleges. While the blueprint of the Affiliation cannot be attributed to any single person, John Hope’s vision played a major role in its formulation and success.

Since the reorganization of Atlanta University five years ago, 188 persons have enrolled for graduate work, and 48 have received the Master of Arts or Masters of Science degrees in the departments as follows: biology 5; chemistry 2; economics 6; education 8; English 7; French 1; history 6; Latin 1; mathematics 5; and sociology 7. Students have enrolled in the University offering as credentialed bachelor degrees from 36 American colleges. In 2016 students registered from 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Dr. Benjamin E. Mays was the sixth president of Morehouse College. During his 27-year tenure, Morehouse College grew to international prominence. He was noted for his Tuesday morning chapel forum in Sale Hall, where he challenged and inspired students to seek excellence in scholarship and life. Most notably, Martin Luther King Jr. (class of 1948) remembered Mays as his “spiritual mentor,” and “intellectual father.”

In its formative years, Morehouse College –under the leadership of President John Hope – began the tradition of educating leaders. Dr. Howard Thurman, a prominent author, philosopher, theologian, educator and mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was just one of their prominent alumni.

The expansion of Morehouse entered the walls of Spelman College with their joint newspaper and precursor to the Maroon Tiger, the Athenaeum. Established in 1898, the Athenaeum was a student publication that projected thoughts and opinions of both Morehouse and Spelman students. An article in the 1922 Athenaeum, “The Ideal Student,” gives an enlightening depiction about student sentiments on appropriate school behavior challenging students to have a “vision for tomorrow.”