While serving in the New York State Senate, Ezra Cornell met Andrew Dickson White of Syracuse when the bill for incorporating Ithaca's public library was referred to White's Committee on Literature (Education). At the time, Cornell was the oldest member of the Senate and White the youngest.

Around this time, Cornell evidently was thinking about founding an educational institution. On his trip to Europe In 1863, he visited Oxford and several continental universities. Soon after, on the inside cover of his 1863 pocket diary he had jotted: "Enquire what the effect of large endowments are upon colleges. How many graduates do they send out, etc."

Founding a university would bring together all of the themes that were important in Cornell's life: his deep and abiding concern for education, his interest in agriculture, his philanthropic impulse and his political sense. The opportunities also were there. In 1862 the Morrill Land Grant Act had been passed, appropriating public lands to aid state agricultural and mechanical colleges. By 1864, Cornell's family, his personal philanthropies and the public library required only a small part of his considerable fortune.

Through discussions with White, the idea of a university grew in Cornell's mind. By the end of the year, he made a financial commitment as evidenced by this Dec. 18, 1864, letter from lawyer and judge William Kelly to Gov. Reuben Fenton concerning the New York State Agricultural College:

"A most generous offer of endowment has recently been made by a distinguished citizen of this State, on condition that the Legislature shall make a liberal grant from the income of the public lands, and shall authorise [sic] the removal of the Institution to Ithaca Tompkins County.

"It is understood that this subject will be brought before the Legislature at its present session. Whatever has a bearing on the advancement of the art of agriculture is entitled to the best consideration of the Legislature."

On Dec. 26, 1864, lawyer George Geddes wrote to Ezra Cornell:

"... Our Senator White will tell you how deeply I feel in regard to this matter. So let me say go in for the whole fund -- and make the best University -- teaching all useful knowledge."

-- Adapted by Susan S. Lang from the Web site "Invention and Enterprise: Ezra Cornell, a Nineteenth-Century Life."