The Hill vs. Lawrenceville Rivalry

The Founders:

The Hill School: Matthew Meigs and the Meigs Family
After purchasing property upon a hill in Pottstown, Matthew Meigs opened The Family Boarding School for Boys and Young Men on May 1, 1851. Twenty-five boys enrolled in what was the first preparatory school founded as a boarding school in the United States. A passionate scholar of the classics, Meigs created a challenging, comprehensive curriculum, making Hill one of the country’s top academic institutions. He and his wife, Mary Gould Meigs, ran the School for 25 years until their son, John, assumed headmastership in 1876. Known as “The Professor,” the School thrived under John Meigs and his wife, Marion, with enrollment increasing from 25 in 1876 to 348 in 1911. Among his most enduring contributions were the designation of the “form” system in 1880, the formation of the Alumni Association in 1894, and the construction of two of the campus’ iconic buildings, the Alumni Chapel and Upper School Dormitory. In 1914, four years after John Meigs’ death, his son, Dwight, became Headmaster and oversaw expansion of the Dining Hall and the construction of Memorial Hall (currently Ryan Library).  In 1920, he orchestrated the transition of ownership of the School from the Meigs family to governance by the Alumni Association. Dwight Meigs remained Headmaster until 1922, thus concluding the Meigs’ family’s 71-year stretch as school leaders. 

Lawrenceville: John Cleve Green 
John Cleve Green was one of nine boys to enroll at Lawrenceville (originally known as Maidenhead Academy) upon its opening in 1810.  He moved to New York City in 1816 and became a prominent figure in the shipping industry, spending much of the 1830s in China before returning to New York City and becoming established in the business world.  The John C. Green Foundation was created in 1875 following his passing.  In his will, he left his residuary estate to four people who went on to purchase The Lawrenceville School in 1879.