The university's first chancellor was Joseph Gibson Hoyt. Crow secured the university charter from the Missouri General Assembly in <answer>1853</answer>, and Eliot was named President of the Board of Trustees. Early on, Eliot solicited support from members of the local business community, including John O'Fallon, but Eliot failed to secure a permanent endowment. Washington University is unusual among major American universities in not having had a prior financial endowment. The institution had no backing of a religious organization, single wealthy patron, or earmarked government support.
When did Washington University secure its charter?
1853