Scanned image of a page selected from Brownell Book, p. 62. Image credit: Trinity College Archives

Also called the Commencement Book, the Brownell Book is an early 19th-century leather-bound record book. Inside the Book, there are details of Commencement exercises and degrees, graduation prayers in Latin, and signatures from more recent Trinity College presidential inaugurations. The Book, along with a key, mace, and collar, is bestowed upon incoming presidents during their inauguration.

The Brownell Book is named after the Rev. Thomas Church Brownell who was elected Bishop of Connecticut in 1819 and later became a founder and the first president of Trinity College, then known as Washington College. At the College's first commencement in 1827, Brownell intended for students to place their hand on the Bible as they completed their graduation. College legend states that President Brownell either forgot a Bible or could not find one, and simply used this personal notebook instead.

Today, the Brownell Book remains a part of the College's commencement ceremony, during which graduating seniors place a hand on the book.

Trinity College Commencement Book

“Commencement Book” now available for view in Digital Repository, 10/21/2019.

The History of Trinity College (1967) by Glenn Weaver, p. 25.