A Brief History of Thomas Jefferson University
George McClellan, Founder
Establishing a School
Access by Ticket Only
Early Homes
A Course of Lectures
Famous Faculty
Graduation Requirements
Changes Come to Jefferson
Becoming a University
Jefferson Today
![]() |
Anatomy Ticket for Joseph H. Clarke, 1842. (Joseph H. Clarke Matriculation Card Collection) |
Access by Ticket Only
Many medical colleges in the 19th century differed greatly from those of today. Colleges such as Jefferson, that were not part of a university, functioned as a proprietary school, where faculty members jointly owned and operated the school as a business interest.
Students purchased tickets to attend lectures given by the professors, who in turn used the funds to pay for costs associated with running the school. Any funds that remained were divided among the faculty.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Institutes of Medicine ticket for N.M. Wilson, 1865. Signed by Professor Robley Dunglison. (N.M. Wilson Matriculation Card Collection) |
![]() |
Matriculation Ticket for Joseph H. Clarke, 1842. (Joseph H. Clarke Matriculation Card Collection) |