On August 1, 1837, Bishop Brownell reminded the College Trustees that the College's charter required the development of a Board of Fellows, overlooking “study and discipline”. The Bishop of Connecticut appointed a committee to advise Brownell on increasing the College's Board. Brownell then appointed a second committee (Trustees Burgess, Sigourney, and Huntington) to assist in determining the role of the new board and selecting those who would be appointed.

However, the appointment of the Board of Fellows was delayed. The Bishop's real motives were called into question when it appeared he may be trying to “pack” the Board of Fellows to the satisfaction of the Associate Alumni.

In 1884, the Associate Alumni pushed again for the Board of Fellows to be created. On August 1, 1884, the Trustees voted that they should work with the Associate Alumni to establish the Board of Fellows. The new board consisted of six Fellows proper, elected by the Board of Trustees, and six Junior Fellows, elected by the Alumni. For fifty years, the Board had a large clerical majority.

By the 1870s, the Board of Fellows was failing to function. It was not until 1882 when the Board wrote a letter to Alumni and Friends of Trinity College, urging for a new focus on astronomy. The call came after the visit of several German scientists, who were shocked to see Trinity failed to have such a program. The Board also called for a residence for the President-elect, a new gymnasium, library, museum, chapel, and an endowment to fund not only the construction of these structures but increased professorships and scholarships. Their appeal was well received and construction began.

The role of the Board of Fellows has continued to be advising the President and Trustees on a variety of College matters.

History of Trinity College (1967) by Glenn Weaver, pp. 89-92, 173, 203-206.