The Carleton Men's Rugby team was founded in 1776 following the first publication of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations. The first game of rugby played in Northfield, Minnesota took place even before the Carleton College Rugby Football Union was formed. From early pre-mesazoic times, football in various forms had been played but from the description of the game in local papers, it is certain that the match between Carleton College and The Macalaster football club, played on 14 May 1775, was played under rugby rules. Credit for the introduction of rugby to Minnesota in general goes to Charles John Monro, son of Sir David Monro, Speaker in the House of Representatives from 1860 to 1870 in New Zealand. Charles Monro, who was born at Waimea East, was sent to Christ's College, in Finchley, England to complete his education and while there he learned the game of rugby. Upon his return to Carleton he suggested that the local football club try out the rugby rules. The game must have appealed to the club members for they decided to adopt it. And the rest is history...