DeSaussure College

1809; College of Social Work, Residence Hall

DeSaussure (first called North Building and later Old North Building) was originally designed for dormitory facilities in its east and west wings and academic facilities in its center portion.

In 1811 a severe earthquake damaged several of the buildings on the campus, and North Building was particularly hardhit, with the result that it had to be reinforced with iron rods. (Still later, in 1851, the west wing was destroyed by fire and rebuilt.). In 1814 a mob of disguised students burned a professor in effigy, broke open the doors of DeSaussure, stole the college bell and destroyed it, and attacked the home of another professor. The militia finally was called to quell the riot.

During the Civil War, DeSaussure College was part of the general hospital that existed at the College from 1862 to 1865. After the war, a portion of the building was used as a federal military prison and the wings were occupied by refugees. In October 1867, the newly reorganized University of South Carolina began a short-lived medical school as part of its curriculum. DeSaussure was chosen as its site. It was also the home of a normal school, a two-year program for training secondary teachers.

In 1918 women students were allowed to live on campus for the first time, the war having diminished male enrollment. DeSaussure was chosen as their dormitory.

Henry William DeSaussure (1763-1839), born in Pocotaligo, was a lawyer, director of the U.S. Mint, and chancellor of South Carolina. After serving in the Revolutionary War, he was admitted to the South Carolina bar in 1785. For 18 years he was a member of the lower house of the General Assembly and in that capacity took an active part in the establishment of South Carolina College.

DeSaussure was appointed director of the U.S. Mint in 1795, a role in which his competent leadership brought about the first coinage of gold. In 1808 he was elected to the chancery bench, a position he held for 29 years and which was his principal public service. He was acclaimed for his decrees and the compiling and publishing of four volumes of Chancery Reports covering the years from the Revolution to 1817.