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ELIHU YALE
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ELIHU YALE
ELIHU YALE English colonial administrator; early benefactor of the college which adopted his name in 1718
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Media ID 584679
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10037631
1649 1718 1721 Administrator Adopted Benefactor College Yale Elihu
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative portrait captures the stern yet thoughtful visage of Elihu Yale (1649-1721), an English colonial administrator who played a pivotal role in the early history of one of America's most prestigious institutions of higher learning. Born in Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1649, Yale embarked on a career in the British colonial service, serving as a magistrate in several provinces and eventually rising to the position of Governor of Madras, India, in 1687. Yale's connection to Yale University began in 1701 when he became the superintendent of the English East India Company's factory in Surat, India. During his tenure, he amassed a substantial collection of books and other educational materials, which he donated to the Collegiate School in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1718. This generous gift, which included 414 books and a substantial sum of money, helped to expand the school's library and secure its financial future. In recognition of Yale's generous donation, the school was renamed Yale College in 1718. The portrait, believed to have been painted around this time, depicts Yale in formal attire, with a serious expression and a quill pen in hand, perhaps signifying his role as a benefactor and supporter of education. The inscription at the bottom of the print reads, "Elihu Yale, Esq., Governor of Madras in India, and Benefactor of Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut." This historical image offers a glimpse into the life of an influential figure in early American history, whose legacy continues to shape the educational landscape of the United States. The portrait serves as a reminder of the transformative power of philanthropy and the enduring impact of a single act of generosity.
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