"The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at William & Mary enjoys the distinction of being the oldest modern languages program in the United States. The Department traces its beginnings to the establishment of a professorship in modern languages at the College of William & Mary in a curriculum reform instituted by Thomas Jefferson in 1779. The first occupant of this position was an Italian, Carlo Bellini, and a series of annual lectures at the College has been established by the department in his honor. Today that single professorship has grown to nearly 50 faculty members offering courses in eight languages, literature and culture. Faculty members of every rank are engaged in teaching at all levels, in study abroad programs, in a variety of research activities, and in service to the College, the community and the profession."1
Materials in the Special Collections Research Center
References
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures webpage