LOW, SETH (1850-1916), American municipal and educa tional administrator, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Jan. 18, 1850. Of New England descent, he displayed on municipal reform and the development of a great university the energy his ancestors had used in conquering the Indians, fighting the British, and build ing up a fleet of clipper ships in the romantic days of the China trade. After studying at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and at Columbia college, from which he graduated as valedictorian in 187o, he entered his father's tea and silk importing house, but early interested himself in the problem of better government. Twice elected mayor of Brooklyn, he made his terms (1882-85) memorable for efficiency, honesty and strict reliance upon merit. Chosen by his fellow-trustees president of Columbia in 1889, by his broad vision, his business administration and his liberality, he did much to change it from a college to a well-organized university. It was removed to a new site on Morningside Heights, where the central building was the beautiful memorial library given by the president ; it added, or became more closely affiliated to, many of the colleges and institutions now within its organization; its cur riculum was expanded; it became less local in character. Low
resigned to become mayor of Greater New York (1901-03), and although defeated for re-election continued to devote himself and his fortune to the service of the public. He was a delegate to The Hague Peace Conference in 1899; was prominent as an arbitrator in labour disputes, especially after he became president of the National Civic Federation (1907) ; was president of the New York Chamber of Commerce (1914), and received many other honours. He died at Bedford Hills, N.Y. on Sept. 17, 1916.
See B. R. C. Low, Seth Low (1925), and articles stressing different phases of his career in the Columbia Alumni News (vol. 8, Oct. 20, 1916) .