The Intercontinental Correspondence University (sometimes called the Intercontinental University) was an educational institution founded in Washington, D.C., in 1904 by several nationally prominent figures including U.S. Senators Chauncey Depew of New York and George F. Hoar of Massachusetts, Chaplain of the United States Senate Edward Everett Hale, and Supreme Court Justice David J. Brewer,[1] remaining active for the rest of the 1900s and into the 1910s. The institution was unable to turn a profit, and went into receivership in 1913,[2] before ultimately being dissolved in 1915.[3]
The Intercontinental Correspondence University was announced to have been incorporated in Washington, D.C., in August 1904, with a capital stock of $1,000,000.[1] [2] The report of its establishment noted:
Channing Rudd, as manager of the corporation, said that they expected to build "a great educational institution of world-wide extent with headquarters in Washington". It was further asserted that the many prominent men involved in the establishment of the entity were "interested because of the possibilities they saw in the scheme for diffusing knowledge and education".[1]
James C. Fernald was dean of the institution from 1905 to 1909.[4] Francis A. Springer then became dean, serving until his death in 1911.[5]
The institution ran into difficulties early in its existence. In 1905, a "complaint was made against the postal agency at Shanghai by a correspondent who had experienced trouble with his mail". Specifically, "Mr. John Franklin Crowell of the Intercontinental Correspondence University, wrote to Washington that 'owing to the notorious carelessness and supreme indifference of the Consular post office,' it was necessary for all mail sent to him through the agency to be registered".[6] In 1909, it was reported that incorporator Channing Rudd had filed a lawsuit against the entity, seeking over $11,000.[7]
On August 11, 1913, nine years to the day from the announcement of its incorporation, Associate Justice Job Barnard of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia appointed Edwin C. Dutton as receiver of the Intercontinental Correspondence University, pursuant to a petition for voluntary dissolution.[2] At that time, the assets of the institution were described as consisting of "furniture valued at $685 and accounts receivable estimated at $5,000".[2]
Dissolution of the institution was completed in 1915, with creditors being publicly notified to "present their claims to said receiver at the Columbian building, Washington, D. C., on or before the 5th day of July, 1915".[3]