Changes

Brown was founded by Ezra Stiles, a Congregationalist Minister, and James Manning, a Baptist Minister; it was originally known as Rhode Island College.  It charter was granted on March 3, 1764; among the sixty-odd signatories were the wealthy brothers John and Nicholas Brown, and the College was located in Warren, Rhode Island.  The charter specified that "into this liberal and catholic institution shall never be admitted any religious tests, but on the contrary, all the members hereof shall forever enjoy full, free, absolute, and uninterrupted liberty of conscience", and as such was considered liberal and nonsectarian. Brown and Penn both have claims to be considered the first nonsectarian institution of higher learning in the United States

Brown was founded by Ezra Stiles, a Congregationalist Minister, and James Manning, a Baptist Minister; it was originally known as Rhode Island College.  It charter was granted on March 3, 1764; among the sixty-odd signatories were the wealthy brothers John and Nicholas Brown, and the College was located in Warren, Rhode Island.  The charter specified that "into this liberal and catholic institution shall never be admitted any religious tests, but on the contrary, all the members hereof shall forever enjoy full, free, absolute, and uninterrupted liberty of conscience", and as such was considered liberal and nonsectarian. Brown and Penn both have claims to be considered the first nonsectarian institution of higher learning in the United States

The College moved to Providence in 1770, and was renamed Brown University in honor of Nicholas Brown, a nephew of John Brown, who had given a bequest of $5,000.  

The College moved to Providence in 1770, and in 1804 was renamed Brown University in honor of Nicholas Brown, a nephew of John Brown, who had given a bequest of $5,000.  

According to the university, the Brown family participated in the slave trade and the proceeds contributed to the funding of the university during its early days.<ref>[http://www.brown.edu/Research/Slavery_Justice/report/index.html Slavery and Justice Report], Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice</ref>

According to the university, the Brown family participated in the slave trade and the proceeds contributed to the funding of the university during its early days.<ref>[http://www.brown.edu/Research/Slavery_Justice/report/index.html Slavery and Justice Report], Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice</ref>