Henry Rutgers

Henry Rutgers was a wealthy New York City Merchant and Colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was a prominent figure in New York State and New Jersey society, known for his business acumen and Philanthropy. Rutgers was also a member of the Reformed Church in America and served as a Trustee of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York City. His legacy is still celebrated today, particularly in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is located, and was named in his honor.

● Early Life and Education

Henry Rutgers was born in 1745 in New York City to a family of Dutch Americans. His parents were Francis Rutgers and Catharina De Peyster, and he was a descendant of Harmen Rutgers, a Dutch West India Company official. Rutgers received his education at the New York City Latin School, where he studied alongside other notable figures, including Alexander Hamilton and Gouverneur Morris. After completing his education, Rutgers went on to work in the family business, becoming a successful Merchant and Trader in New York City and Philadelphia.

● Career

Rutgers' career spanned multiple fields, including Business, Politics, and Military service. During the American Revolutionary War, he served as a Colonel in the Continental Army, fighting alongside other notable figures, such as George Washington and Richard Montgomery. After the war, Rutgers returned to New York City and continued to build his business empire, becoming a prominent figure in the city's Chamber of Commerce and New York State Legislature. He also served as a Trustee of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York City and was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, a Veterans' organization founded by George Washington.

● Philanthropy and Legacy

Henry Rutgers was a generous Philanthropist and donated to various causes throughout his life, including the Reformed Church in America and the New York City Orphan Asylum. In 1809, he donated a significant amount of money to Queen's College, which later became Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. This donation helped to establish the college as a prominent institution in New Jersey and cemented Rutgers' legacy as a prominent figure in the state's history. Today, Rutgers University is one of the largest and most prestigious institutions of Higher education in the United States, with campuses in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, and Camden, New Jersey. Rutgers' legacy is also celebrated in New York City, where the Henry Rutgers Chair at Columbia University is named in his honor.

● Personal Life

Henry Rutgers married Catherine Livingston in 1771, and the couple had several children together, including Henry Rutgers Jr. and Elizabeth Rutgers. The family was prominent in New York City society, and Rutgers was known for his business acumen and Philanthropy. He was also a member of the New York City Society of the Cincinnati and the American Philosophical Society, which was founded by Benjamin Franklin. Rutgers' personal life was marked by his strong connections to the Reformed Church in America and his commitment to Philanthropy and Public service.

● Later Life and Death

Henry Rutgers died in 1830 in New York City at the age of 85. He was buried in the Reformed Dutch Church cemetery in New York City, alongside other notable figures, including Peter Stuyvesant and Alexander Hamilton. Rutgers' legacy continued to grow after his death, and he is still remembered today as a prominent figure in New York State and New Jersey history. His donation to Queen's College helped to establish the institution as a prominent center of Higher education in the United States, and his name is still celebrated at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Rutgers' life and legacy serve as a testament to the importance of Philanthropy and Public service, and his impact continues to be felt in New York City and beyond. Category:American philanthropists