Yale University's "Madras" Connection
Sep. 18th, 2005 10:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mcgillianaireIn 1718, Elihu Yale donated a carton of goods to the Collegiate School of Connecticut for their new construction in New Haven. The school sold the goods for £560, a substantial sum in those days, and in honour of Elihu's contribution, renamed the institution after him.
But where did Elihu make all his money? As it turns out, Yale spent 20 years in India between 1679 & 1699 as part of the East India Company. As a private trader he was able to amass immense wealth which allowed him to become the 2nd Governor of the erstwhile Madras Presidency in 1687.
Unfortunately he fell out with his superiors, got embroiled in all kinds of corruption scandals and was eventually booted out of the Governorship in 1692; yet somehow managed to hang around in Madras till the end of the century. Upon leaving India he returned to England where he grew up despite having been born in Boston, MA. Interestingly, after leaving America at the age of four, he never returned but thanks to his financial contribution in 1718, three years before his death his name continues to be echoed in the upper echelons of academic cricles. Thanks that is, to his Madras connection! ;)
Elihu Yale died on 8 July, 1721 and is buried in the churchyard of Wrexham, North Wales. His tomb is inscribed with the lines:
Born in America, in Europe bred
In Africa travell'd and in Asia wed
Where long he liv'd and thriv'd; In London dead
Much good, some ill, he did; so hope all's even
And that his soul thro' mercy's gone to Heaven
You that survive and read this tale, take care
For this most certain exit to prepare
Where blest in peace, the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in silent dust.
But where did Elihu make all his money? As it turns out, Yale spent 20 years in India between 1679 & 1699 as part of the East India Company. As a private trader he was able to amass immense wealth which allowed him to become the 2nd Governor of the erstwhile Madras Presidency in 1687.
Unfortunately he fell out with his superiors, got embroiled in all kinds of corruption scandals and was eventually booted out of the Governorship in 1692; yet somehow managed to hang around in Madras till the end of the century. Upon leaving India he returned to England where he grew up despite having been born in Boston, MA. Interestingly, after leaving America at the age of four, he never returned but thanks to his financial contribution in 1718, three years before his death his name continues to be echoed in the upper echelons of academic cricles. Thanks that is, to his Madras connection! ;)
Elihu Yale died on 8 July, 1721 and is buried in the churchyard of Wrexham, North Wales. His tomb is inscribed with the lines:
In Africa travell'd and in Asia wed
Where long he liv'd and thriv'd; In London dead
Much good, some ill, he did; so hope all's even
And that his soul thro' mercy's gone to Heaven
You that survive and read this tale, take care
For this most certain exit to prepare
Where blest in peace, the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in silent dust.
