Ezra Cornell

Date of Birth: January 11, 1807

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: December 9, 1874

Biography

Ezra Cornell was an American businessman and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of the telegraph system in the United States and co-founded Cornell University. Born on January 11, 1807, in Westchester Landing, New York, he moved to DeRuyter, New York, at the age of 11. After working various jobs, he found his calling in the telegraph industry. Ezra Cornell was instrumental in the establishment of the Western Union Telegraph Company, which became one of the most successful and influential companies in America during the 19th century. In 1865, using his wealth, Cornell co-founded Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, with Andrew Dickson White. The university was designed to offer a broad-based education, irrespective of gender or religion, which was revolutionary at the time. Ezra Cornell’s vision and philanthropy have left a lasting legacy in the field of higher education.

5 Interesting Facts about Ezra Cornell

1. Ezra Cornell was initially a carpenter and mechanic before he entered the telegraph industry.

2. He invested in Samuel Morse’s telegraph and helped establish the first telegraph line between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

3. Cornell University was one of the first universities in the United States to admit women and people of all religious backgrounds.

4. Ezra Cornell served as a New York State Senator from 1864 to 1867.

5. He was deeply involved in agricultural reform and was a founding member of the New York State Agricultural Society.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ezra Cornell

1. “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.”

2. “My goal is to unite the practical and the theoretical, the scientific and the empirical.”

3. “The telegraph is a means of spreading information far and wide, much like a university spreads knowledge.”

4. “I am determined to pursue a course which shall leave a record behind me.”

5. “It is not the possession of wealth, but the use of it, that constitutes virtue.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Ezra Cornell’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, a substantial amount for the 19th century.

Children

Ezra Cornell had nine children with his wife Mary Ann Wood. Some of his notable children include Alonzo B. Cornell, who served as the Governor of New York, and Franklin Cornell, who was involved in business.