Leland Stanford

San Francisco Pacific Railroad Bond WPRR 1865

Leland Stanford and CPRR Officers 1870

The Horse in Motion high res

LelandStanford1890

Residence of Governor Stanford, Palo Alto, California, 1888 (LAROCHE 12)

Leland Stanford (March 9, 1824 – June 21, 1893) was an American industrialist, politician, and the founder of Stanford University. He served as the 8th Governor of California from 1861 to 1863 and later as a United States Senator from California from 1885 until his death in 1893. Stanford was a leading figure in the development of the California railroad industry, and his influence was instrumental in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad.

Early Life

Leland Stanford was born in Watervliet, New York, to a family of modest means. He studied law at Cazenovia Seminary and Clinton Liberal Institute, before moving to California in 1852 during the Gold Rush. He initially worked as a miner, then as a merchant, and finally established a successful law practice in San Francisco.

Career in Railroads

Stanford's interest in railroads began in the late 1850s, and he became a leading advocate for the construction of a transcontinental railroad. In 1861, he co-founded the Central Pacific Railroad with Collis P. Huntington, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker. These men, known as the "Big Four," played a crucial role in the planning, financing, and construction of the railroad. Stanford was appointed president of the Central Pacific, a position he held for the rest of his life.

Political Career

Stanford entered politics as a member of the Republican Party. He was elected Governor of California in 1861, serving one term during which he advocated for the state's economic development and the support of the Union during the Civil War. After his term as governor, Stanford continued to be involved in politics and was elected to the United States Senate in 1885.

Stanford University

In 1884, Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane Stanford, founded Leland Stanford Junior University as a memorial to their only child, Leland Stanford Jr., who died of typhoid fever at the age of 15. The university was established on the Stanfords' Palo Alto stock farm, with the intention of creating a coeducational institution that would be affordable to all and free from sectarian influence. Stanford University opened its doors on October 1, 1891, and has since become one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Death and Legacy

Leland Stanford died of heart failure at his home in Palo Alto, California, on June 21, 1893. His legacy is most visible in the university that bears his name, but his contributions to the development of the American West, particularly in the realm of transportation and education, have had a lasting impact.