Would you believe it if we told you there was a tomb on Transy’s campus?

Inside Old Morrison — the big white building that faces West Third Street + is currently covered in pumpkins — is the tomb of early 19th-century professor Constantine Rafinesque.

We’re sharing with you the eerie tale of the man whose name has made a lasting impression on this historic Lexington university.

Fast facts

Constantine Rafinesque, originally from Turkey, was a professor of botany and natural science at Transylvania University from 1819 to1826.
During his time there, he published scientific names for thousands of plants + hundreds of animals, one of those being Rafinesque’s big-eared bat.
Legend has it, Rafinesque often showed up late to classes or skipped them completely. He was eventually fired by then-college president Horace Holley.

Upon his departure, the eccentric naturalist said, "I took lodgings in town and carried there all my effects: thus leaving the College with curses on it and Holley."

Seven-year curse

Vice President of Marketing + Communications Megan Moloney noted, "The curse was said that something bad would befall the university every seven years."

Horace Holley died in 1827, just one year after Constantine's firing.
The old Main Campus building, where Old Morrison stands today, burned down.
There were cholera + influenza outbreaks on campus.

City Editor Molly casually hanging out in the tombs of Old Morrison. | Photo by LEXtoday

Present day

Constantine died in Philadelphia in 1840. In an effort to pay tribute to the professor, a group exhumed his body + moved it to Lexington in 1924. It now rests in the tomb inside Old Morrison.

Here's how he is remembered + celebrated on campus today:

A grab + go café called the Rafskeller
The mascot, Raf
Raf Week