Cornell, Ezra (1807-1874), was an American businessman, farmer, legislator, and philanthropist. He rose with the rapidly growing telegraphic communications industry, and helped organize the Western Union Telegraph Company. He became wealthy, and in his later years devoted his energies and fortunes to educational projects. He is particularly remembered for helping found Cornell University in 1865 (see Cornell University).
Cornell was born on Jan. 11, 1807, in Westchester, New York. His father was a poor potter and farmer, and Cornell received little formal education. After several false starts in various fields, Cornell invented a plow to lay cable for Samuel F. B. Morse’s first telegraph line. He then became a leading builder of telegraph systems. Cornell became interested in agriculture in the 1840’s, and became president of the New York State Agricultural Society in 1862. In the 1860’s, he also served in New York’s State Assembly and state Senate. Cornell died on Dec. 9, 1874.
