In this week’s installment of our ongoing series bringing you the history of Princeton University and its faculty, students, and alumni, Bob Dylan finds inspiration at Commencement, a sitting U.S. President visits Princeton for the first time, and more.

June 8, 1976—To raise money for various projects, the Princeton University Library auctions off an “Inverted Jenny” stamp from its collections for $170,000.

June 9, 1970—Bob Dylan receives an honorary Doctorate of Music from Princeton University, on the grounds that “Although he is now approaching the perilous age of thirty, his music remains the authentic expression of the disturbed and concerned conscience of young America.” Dylan’s experience at Princeton will later inspire the song, “Day of the Locusts.”

June 11, 1932—Robert C. Clothier, Princeton University Class of 1908, is inaugurated president of Rutgers University.

June 12, 1843—Sitting U.S. President John Tyler stops in Princeton on his way from Philadelphia to New York. This marks the first of several visits to Princeton by a current U.S. President. Professor James W. Alexander will note in his journal a few days later, “You will judge from the papers that we have all been Tyler-mad; sundry of us have been so.”

For last week’s installment in this series, click here.

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