<P> Shortly after the end of the American Civil War , members of The First Congregational Society of Washington considered establishing a theological seminary for the education of African - American clergymen . Within a few weeks , the project expanded to include a provision for establishing a university . Within two years , the University consisted of the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Medicine . The new institution was named for General Oliver Otis Howard , a Civil War hero , who was both the founder of the University and , at the time , Commissioner of the Freedmen 's Bureau . Howard later served as President of the University from 1869 -- 74 . </P>
<P> Shortly after the end of the American Civil War , members of The First Congregational Society of Washington considered establishing a theological seminary for the education of African - American clergymen . Within a few weeks , the project expanded to include a provision for establishing a university . Within two years , the University consisted of the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Medicine . The new institution was named for General Oliver Otis Howard , a Civil War hero , who was both the founder of the University and , at the time , Commissioner of the Freedmen 's Bureau . Howard later served as President of the University from 1869 -- 74 . </P>
where did howard university get its name from
where did howard university get its name from
named for General Oliver Otis Howard , a Civil War hero , who was both the founder of the University and , at the time , Commissioner of the Freedmen 's Bureau
named for General Oliver Otis Howard , a Civil War hero , who was both the founder of the University and , at the time , Commissioner of the Freedmen 's Bureau