Brown University has confirmed that a Virginia antiques collector has returned a Civil War-era sword that was stolen from the school more than 30 years ago.
A federal judge in Virginia ordered collector Donald Thorpe to return the Tiffany silver sword to Brown University, according to The Huffington Post.
Thorpe reportedly bought the sword for $35,000 in 1992, but only had it in his possession after other collectors had it in their hands.
The sword was taken from the Annmary Brown Memorial, a structure deeded to the University in 1948. The Tiffany silver sword was a gift from her husband, Col. Rush Hawkins, in 1863 after he received it in honor for his service in the Civil War.
"Brown University received the word Thursday, June 6, 2013, that the Civil War sword of Col. Rush Hawkins, reported stolen from the University's collections in 1977," read the Ivy League university's statement. "The U.S. District Court in Newport News, Va., ruled that Brown University is the lawful owner and ordered the sword's return."
According to the Providence Journal, the federal court found the sword had been stolen before 1977, and said that "although Brown could have pursued recovery with greater zeal, its delay in filing [the lawsuit] was primarily due to deliberate efforts" of the original thief, which the courts do not believe was Thorpe.
The court confirmed that Brown University was the lawful owner on June 4, 2013, and the sword, along with its ornamental scabbard, was to be returned to its rightful home.
"At its heart, the University's case was quite simple and in three parts: We own it; it was stolen; we want it back," said Beverly Ledbetter, vice president and general counsel, according to the university's press release. "The court ruled in the University's favor on all three points."
Here is an image of the sword from Brown University Collections.
© 2025 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
