John William Sterling

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John William Sterling

John William Sterling (born May 12, 1844 in Stratford, Connecticut , USA ; † July 5, 1918 at the Estevan Lodge in Québec , Canada ) was an American lawyer , philanthropist and the most important patron of Yale University .

education and profession

Sterling graduated from Yale University with a BA in 1864 and was admitted to court three years later. In 1874 he received his MA and in 1893 the Dr. iur (LL.D.) from Columbia Law School . He was a corporate lawyer in New York and represented Jay Gould , James Fisk , the City Bank of New York and Standard Oil , among others . In 1873 he founded together with the priority as defense lawyers make Thomas G. Shearman which still exists today Shearman & Sterling law firm within which Sterling continues its activities dedicated corporate lawyer and established extensive relationships between clients and business representatives.

Private life

Sterling remained unmarried and in 1870 met James Orville Bloss (September 30, 1847 - December 15, 1918), his roommate at Yale University, who remained his friend and partner for 50 years and died just months after him. On his death, Sterling left the University of Yale with a sum of $ 18 million, which was worth $ 180 million in 2003. This was the highest amount ever donated by an individual to a private university. A portion of the legacy was used to establish the Sterling professorship .

Sterling is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, where he had a mausoleum built during his lifetime, in which Bloss and his sister Cordelia (March 18, 1846–1931), if not married when they died, were to be buried.

literature

  • John A. Garver: John William Sterling. Class of 1864 Yale College. A biographical sketch. Yale University Press, New Haven CT 1929.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Sterling, John William
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American lawyer and generous patron of Yale University
DATE OF BIRTH May 12, 1844
PLACE OF BIRTH Stratford , Connecticut
DATE OF DEATH July 5, 1918
Place of death Quebec , Canada