Count. Washington University in St. Louis is the earliest and most prestigious Washington University in American history. It is known as one of the new Ivy League universities and is a world-class university. Washington University in St. Louis, founded in 1853, is a private research university located in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. It was named by George Washington University, the first president of the United States, in memory of American patriots. Therefore, Washington University in St. Louis is a prestigious school with a high reputation.