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4 unusual facts about Henry William de Saussure


Henry William de Saussure

As a founder and early trustee of the University of South Carolina in Columbia, one of the original buildings located on the Horseshoe at the center of the campus, DeSaussure College, was named in his honor.

At the age of 16, together with his father Daniel de Saussure (1736–1798), he participated in the defense of the city during the 1780 Siege of Charleston.

He was appointed by President George Washington as the 2nd Director of the United States Mint, was a co-sponsor of the legislation that established the South Carolina College which was to become the University of South Carolina and was given the title of Chancellor as a justice of the SC Equity Court, also known as chancery court.

His opinions were highly critical of the summary abridgment of rights of the accused during the Denmark Vesey trials, purportedly in the name of public safety.



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