This document discusses research being conducted on Father Gabriel Richard, one of the founders of the University of Michigan, in preparation for the university's bicentennial in 2017. The research aims to provide a clear description of Father Richard's life and contributions using resources from various archives. Father Richard played a key role in establishing the university and was also instrumental in the Michigan territory as the first Catholic priest in Congress and by establishing the first newspaper. The research seeks to honor Father Richard's legacy and share his story as a founder of the University of Michigan.

1. THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN BICENTENNIAL PROJECT
“Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus”
The subject of this research pertains to the founders of the University of
Michigan, John Monteith, Augustus Woodward, and Father Gabriel
Richard, in preparation of the upcoming University Bicentennial in 2017. In
this presentation we are primarily focusing on Fr. Richard’s contributions.
With the help of the University Libraries, especially the Bentley Historical
Library, and offsite resources including Church Diocesan Archives, and
online archival and biographical information, we hope to build a clear and
concise description of Rev. Richard’s life. This research would be available
for a planned University Founders Exhibit, which would celebrate the
stories of these men. With Fr. Richard being an important figure in the
history of Michigan as a state, we are interested in his whole life, not just
his contributions to the University. For example, he was the first of three
priests to serve in the U.S. Congress, he established the first newspaper
in the Michigania Territory, and he extensively ministered to Native
American tribes in the territory. From the letters of Fr. Richard it is clear
that he had been planning a “School of Literature, Science and the Arts”
as early as 1808. Research shows that with the additional resources
contributed by Judge Woodward and Rev. Monteith, these plans came
to manifestation, on paper, in the Act to Establish the Catholepistemiad,
signed in 1817. Ultimately, we hope to achieve much wider understanding
of a man who co-founded what would become one of the finest higher
education institutions in the world.
The materials used in this project were largely gathered from the University
Libraries, however additional outside resources were also employed.
Sources used include primary and secondary documents found at:
• The University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library
• The Hatcher Graduate Library
• The Archdiocese of Detroit Archives
• The Library of Congress Digital Collection
The information gathered is then chronologically organized; a bibliography
listing sources is created; recurring themes about Fr. Richard are
examined to see how they would relate to Fr. Richard’s role in the
University so we may focus on the involvement of Fr. Richard in the
University of Michigan, as well his relationship with the Native American.
Once completed, this research was uploaded to a U-M Box folder for
review by the research team.
• 1806 Fr. Richard was planning a way to better educate the Indians in
the surrounding areas. Governor Hull shared Fr. Richard’s concerns for
educating the Indian people, and he included his concerns in his second
inaugural address. By 1808 Fr. Richard had six schools in operation.
• 1808 – First mentions the need for a school of “Literature, Scientific
Knowledge, and the Useful Arts” in a letter to President Jefferson
• August 1812 – After the surrender of Detroit, the British captured Fr.
Richard and demanded he swear allegiance to the King. Fr. Richard
• replied, “I have taken one oath to support the Constitution of the
United States, and I cannot take another. Do with me as you please.”
Fr. Richard was freed by the intercession of Chief Tecumseh, who was a
British ally but also a friend of Fr. Richard.
• August 26, 1817 “Act to establish the Catholepistemiad, or University of
Michigania” is signed into law. Fr. Richard is appointed Vice President
• January 26, 1824 – Gives a speech to Congress advocating for the
funding of a road from Detroit to Chicago (Michigan Avenue)
The original goal of this research was to gather information on the
involvement of Fr. Richard in the University and Territory of Michigan to
prepare for the U-M Bicentennial in 2017. Through research, an outline of
Fr. Richard was prepared which detailed his commitment to the citizens of
Detroit, and his association and dedication to the University of Michigan.
We discovered many additional contributions that Fr. Richard had made
beyond the University. For instance, Fr. Richard was an avid promoter of
the arts in Detroit, thus he brought with him from the East Coast a printing
press and pipe organ, which were the first of their kind west of the
Allegheny.
It is our hope that during 2017, students may become more aware of the
founders of Michigan, and in turn use their intellectual attributes to guide
the University into the next 200 years. Further research could explore the
intentions founders’ for creating the University. Topics such as who was
at the heart of promoting the University, the relationship of Fr. Richard and
the Native Americans could also be examined.
ABSTRACT THE FOUNDERS
THE LIFE OF FR. RICHARD
METHODS
CONCLUSION
Poster created by John Thomas Zekany
Project sponsored by Gary Krenz, Ph.D.
The University of Michigan Bicentennial Office
Bicentennial Project Team Members: Dr. Gary Krenz - Executive Director, Michelle French - Associate Director, Kim Clarke - Director of Communications, Bailey Oland – Associate Assistant
Bicentennial Project Student Members: Lindsay Barnett, Clair Bartosic, Michelle Cassidy, Jakop Dopp, Andrew Grafton, Angel Izaguirre, Jerry Jones, Ali Kahil, Louis Miller, Bailey Surbrook, J. T. Zekany
Top left: Portrait of Fr. Richard painted likely in the early 1820’s (Courtesy
of Bishop Boyea of the Diocese of Lansing)
Right: 1809 letter from Fr. Richard to Thomas Jefferson describing the
schools he established for white and Indian children (Courtesy of the Na-
tional Archives)
Bottom left: Fr. Richards appointment to professorship of mathematics.
(Courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library)
The original building of the Catholepistemiad
and University of Michigan in Detroit
1818 Ste. Anne’s in Detroit The original seal of
the Catholepistemiad
• Reverend John Monteith
• Father Gabriel Richard
• Judge Augustus Woodward