How Swarthmoor became Swarthmore
Whether you pronounce the "r" or not, maybe you have wondered where the name of our beloved school came from. Swarthmore was named after Swarthmoor Hall, found in Cumbria, England (in the northwestern Lake District). Swarthmoor Hall served as the site of some of the first Quaker meetings, which took place in the mid-seventeenth century. The house was built by George Fell in 1586, and in 1651 was inhabited by Fell's son Thomas and his wife, Margaret. George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, found one of his earliest fans in Margaret (marrying her after Thomas's death), and used the house for his meetings. William Penn visited Swarthmoor Hall in 1670.
Bonus fun facts: The first president of Swarthmore was Edward Parrish. Another founder was named Samuel Willets.
For more information on Swarthmoor Hall, now a Quaker retreat center and bed and breakfast, see http://www.swarthmoorhall.co.uk/index.htm
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