Got into a fight with the GF over this.

[MyJelleo]

R.M. Bartlett of Philadelphia_________the first private business college in the United States in 1843.
a) founding
b) founded
c) was founded
d) founds

Which one is it? Also, I can't tell whether R.M. is a person, or the college mentioned. I concluded that the answer was B or C depending on what the subject was.

Thanks in advance.

[Casiopea]

First, founded means

1. To establish or set up, especially with provision for continuing existence: The college was founded in 1872.

Second, people find things. R.M. Bartlett is a person.
Third, your example sentence is active and it's a statement of fact about the past,
so use simple past b) founded.

All the best.