Yale, Elihu, << EHL uh `hyoo` >> (1649-1721), was an official of the East India Company and a benefactor of Yale University. During 27 years’ service in India, from 1672 to 1699, he acquired a large fortune and became governor of Fort Saint George in Madras (now Chennai).
After returning to England, Yale made many gifts to churches, schools, and missionary societies. He gave books and other valuable goods to the Collegiate School, which was founded in 1701 by the Congregationalists in Connecticut. In 1718, in recognition of his generosity, the trustees changed the name of the school to Yale College. Yale was born on April 5, 1649, in Boston, but was taken to England at the age of 3. He joined the East India Company in 1670. He died on July 8, 1721.
