Cornell, Ezra

Ezra Cornell (1807-1874, age 67). An American businessman, politician, academic, and philanthropist. He was the founder of Western Union and a co-founder of Cornell University. He also served as President of the New York Agriculture Society and as a New York State Senator.

Cornell was born a Quaker but disowned by the Society of Friends for marrying outside the faith to a “world’s woman,” Mary Ann Wood, a Methodist, on March 19, 1831.