PENN BIOGRAPHIES

In December 1754 the trustees of the Academy of Philadelphia appointed a committee to inquire into the possibility of hiring German-born William Cramer as Professor of French and German languages. The following month the committee reported that Mr. Cramer was qualified to teach the languages of French, German and also Italian. Cramer had the added advantage of being skilled in music and painting.

Cramer's request to teach part-time, with the option of using Academy facilities for teaching private students, was denied by the trustees in favor of hiring Cramer as a full-time faculty member.

In May of 1755, the Trustees found no further use for Cramer's services. They maintained this position at their July meeting, even after Cramer wrote them requesting one more year of employment.

REFERENCES:
Matriculates, Alumni Record, Trustees Minutes, vol. 1