In early 1865, Ezra Cornell, as a wealthy senator in the New York Legislature, continued to lay the foundation for founding a new institution of higher learning. (May 17, 2007)
In 1863, Ezra Cornell purchased a lot on Tioga Street for a library that contained commercial space to make it self-supporting. The Cornell Library was incorporated April 5, 1864, and opened Dec. 20, 1866. (May 31, 2007)
Ezra Cornell was deeply involved in the construction of the new campus and was known to hover over workers, to whom he offered 'sharp admonishments.' (Aug. 16, 2007)
Early in 1857, Ezra Cornell purchased the 300-acre DeWitt farm (the future site of the university). Naming it Forest Park, he developed a model farm and raised shorthorn cattle. (April 4, 2007)
The Panic of 1819 -- the country's first major financial crisis, with widespread foreclosures, bank failures, unemployment and a slump in agriculture and manufacturing -- marked the end of the economic expansion that followed…
In the late 1840s, Ezra Cornell was discouraged working in the budding telegraph business. He was rarely home and the business was chaotic. (March 7, 2007)
On Jan. 13, Kenneth Brown '74 and his family attended the dedication of a new water plant in Ojojona, Honduras, built with his gift of nearly $30,000. The plant was designed by Cornell engineering students. (Feb. 15, 2007)
Although Andrew Dickson White introduced a bill into the New York State Senate in 1865 to establish Cornell University and its reception was positive, its passage was by no means a sure thing. (May 22, 2007)
Although business was looking up, Ezra Cornell still felt financially insecure during this period. His interest in farm machinery led to his investment in the Albany Agricultural Works and the Steam Agricultural Co. (April 11, 2007)
