CORNELL, EZRA (1807-1874), American capitalist and philanthropist, was born at Westchester Landing, N.Y., on Jan.
1, 18°7, of Quaker parents. His early education was received in the common schools but throughout life he was an ardent student and became noted for his practical and scientific attainments. In 1828 he settled at Ithaca, N.Y., where he later served as manager of flour mills. In 1842 he became associated with S. F. B. Morse in the early development of the electric telegraph and superin tended the construction of the first telegraph line in America, opened between Baltimore and Washington in 1844. He then be came one of the most active pioneers in the establishment of tele graph lines throughout the country, in connection with which he accumulated a substantial fortune, being a founder and for some time the largest stock-holder in the Western Union Telegraph com pany, organized in 1855. Settling on a farm near Ithaca, he be came especially interested in the development of agriculture. Fol lowing the passage in 1862 of the Morrill Act providing national support for agricultural colleges, he took steps which led to the founding at Ithaca of Cornell university, which was formally opened in 1868. His original endowment of $5oo,000, given in 1865, was increased by further personal contributions of about $400,000, and by more than $3,000,000 realized as profits from his operations in purchasing and allocating public lands for the benefit of the new institution, which has since risen to front rank among American universities. He also established the Cornell library at Ithaca and built railway lines facilitating access to the university town. He died in Ithaca on Dec. 9, 1874.
See Alonzo B. Cornell, True and Firm: a Biography of Ezra Cornell 0884) •