Ezra Cornell

Ezra Cornell
1st Chairman of Cornell Board of Trustees
In office
1866–1874
Succeeded byHenry W. Sage
Member of the New York Senate
from the 24th district
In office
January 1, 1864 – December 31, 1867
Preceded byLyman Truman
Succeeded byOrlow W. Chapman
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the Tompkins County district
In office
January 1, 1862 – December 31, 1863
Preceded byJeremiah W. Dwight
Succeeded byHenry B. Lord
Personal details
Born(1807-01-11)January 11, 1807
Westchester Landing, The Bronx, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 9, 1874(1874-12-09) (aged 67)
Ithaca, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Signature

Ezra Cornell (/kɔːrˈnɛl/; January 11, 1807 – December 9, 1874) was an American businessman, politician, academic, and philanthropist. He was the founder of Western Union and a co-founder of Cornell University. He also served as president of the New York Agriculture Society[1] and as a New York State Senator.

  1. ^ New York State Agricultural Society (March 1, 1862). "Mr. Cornell's Remarks on Taking the Chair as the Newly Elected President". Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society. XXII - 1862. Albany, New York: 36–37. I am very unexpectedly called upon to thank you for this expression of your confidence in electing me as the President of your Society for the ensuing year. Your partiality reposes a trust in me of which I have a grateful appreciation, though its just and proper fulfillment carries with it the most weighty responsibility.