The first attempt to found a college in America had its inception at Jamestown in 1617. Land was secured near the present site of Richmond and considerable endowment was invested in farm stock. Before operation of the college could begin, the whole undertaking was wiped out by the great Indian massacre of 1622. Two generations later a group of important citizens met at the house of Col. Page to make plans for an institution which would make advanced education possible without the necessity of going to England. As a result of this meeting action was secured from the colonial legislature and Rev. James Blair was sent to London to request a charter and financial assistance from King William and Queen Mary. Not only was he successful in his main object but, at the same time, he got Sir Christopher Wren to draw plans for a building which should be worthy of the College of William and Mary in Virginia. This central structure of the College, generally known as The Wren Building, was designed in the form of a quadrangle; the easterly side was constructed in 1695, the northerly and westerly wings shortly thereafter; the fourth side of the quadrangle has never been built. [Illustration: WREN BUILDING—COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY] Few students in the America of today have a more magnificent inspirational background than those who attend classes in the Wren Building. Probably nowhere else did so many of the real founders of our government get their education and inspiration in the same rooms. In one manner or another there have been associated with William and Mary, Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Monroe and (in the next generation) Tyler, as well as jurists and statesmen of the most beneficent influence. And great teachers there were, too. Thomas Jefferson testified that it was from Professor Small that he received the inspiration for his life work. Bishop Madison, the first president under the Commonwealth, was a really great teacher of Natural Phylosophy, as were Patrick Rogers and his famous son.[1] [Illustration: THE CAPITOL]