St. John's College in Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
St. John's College
The Naval War of 1812 in Annapolis
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Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 8, 2013
1. St. John's College Marker
St. John's College has a long, rich history dating back to the founding of our nation. Its earliest incarnation, a grammar or preparatory school named after King William III, was founded in Annapolis in 1696, one year after Maryland's capital was moved here from St. Mary's City.
Ten-year-old Francis Scott Key, future author of "The Star-Spangled Banner," was among the grammar school students who participated in the college's opening exercises in 1789. Key graduated from St. John's in 1796 and went on to practice law, first in Frederick and later in Georgetown.
Today, St. John's is a private, four-year college, nationally recognized for its interdisciplinary great books program. The college welcomes the community to Francis Scott Key Auditorium in Mellon Hall to attend concerts and lectures, and to experience the community learning that St. John's seeks to inspire. St. John's College is dedicated to the notion that freedom of thought is achieved through a liberal arts education.
Erected by United States Naval Academy. (Marker Number 7.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1696.
Location.
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Central Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Take a Tour of St. John's CollegeSteeped in United States and Maryland History (here, next to this marker); Dedicated to you, a free citizen in a free land (a few steps from this marker); For Civilization Liberty Country (within shouting distance of this marker); King William's School (within shouting distance of this marker); Francis Scott Key (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Take a Tour of St. John's CollegeSteeped in United States and Maryland History (about 300 feet away); Liberty Tree (about 300 feet away); Alexander Magruder (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Naval War of 1812 in Annapolis Walking
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 8, 2013
2. St. John's College Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 8, 2013
3. Portrait of a young Francis Scott Key
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 8, 2013
4. St. John's College
As
King William's
School
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 1, 2020
5. St. John's College marker has been removed.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,019 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 18, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on February 20, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on October 1, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
