Simmons University in United States of America

John Simmons, a prominent Boston clothing manufacturer and real estate developer, died in 1870. His will provided for his remaining family two daughters and two granddaughters as well as for the founding of an educational institution:

It is my will to found and endow an institution to be called Simmons Female College, for the purpose of teaching medicine, music, drawing, designing, telegraphy, and other branches of art, science, and industry best calculated to enable the scholars to acquire an independent livelihood.

The actual funding for this college did not become available for almost 30 years, however, having been delayed by the Great Fire of 1872. Simmons's real estate holdings had been located primarily in Boston's financial district, and the Great Fire destroyed many of the properties that had been substantial income providers. Rebuilding took many years; it was not until 1899 that sufficient funding was available to establish the college the John Simmons had envisioned.

The Massachusetts Legislature granted the charter to incorporate Simmons Female College on May 24, 1899. The task of organizing the College was a difficult undertaking as the broad outline of the will provided no instructions. The newly selected Corporation members met in November 1899 to draw up statutes and by-laws, to elect officers, and to appoint a committee to study the educational situation abroad and in the United States, particularly in Boston. This study was undertaken in winter 1900.

In early 1901, the College acquired an office in downtown Boston. In December of the same year, Dr. Henry Lefavour, a member of the Williams College faculty, was appointed president of the new college, and Sarah Louise Arnold, supervisor of schools in Boston, was named dean. Dr. Lefavour prepared a plan of organization at the request of the Corporation; together, he and Dean Arnold faced the task of implementing the plan. A leased building on St. Botolph Street housed the College's new students; it was adjacent to the School of Housekeeping, which the College had newly acquired from the Women's Educational and Industrial Union.

The College opened its doors on St. Botolph Street October 9, 1902 to its first class of 146 students. As not all of the subjects named in Simmons's will could be included in this new institution's curriculum, the Corporation instead decided to carry out the intent of Simmons's will: the initial curriculum offered students Bachelor of Science degrees and certificates in Household Economics (including courses in teaching), Library Studies, Secretarial Studies, and General Science. The program in General Science later included the courses in nursing and teaching. According to the 1904-1905 College Catalog, tuition was $100 a year, not including laboratory fees. Room and board ranged between $250 to $300 a year.