Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/311

CHAPTER X THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS BENEFACTORS During the first quarter-century of its history the University was rich in benefactors. The Founder and chief patron loved to consider and to speak of himself as only one among the many benefactors of the University of Chicago. He well understood and freely acknowledged that, compared to their ability to give, the contributions of many of these benefactors were equal to or greater than his own. During the first quarter-century more than ten thousand persons made contributions to the University. Not all these gifts were in money. Many were in lands, books, apparatus, collections, furnishings, works of arts gifts of many kinds. Many were large, some very large. Those of Miss Helen Culver aggregated nearly a million dollars. Those of Mrs. Emmons Elaine for University College, the School of Education, and other purposes also approached that sum. The contributions of Martin A. Ryerson flowed into the University treasury in an unfailing stream from the beginning. Perhaps there was never a year that was not marked by one or more quite unsolicited donations from him. For most of his gifts were made of his own motion in conse- quence of his intimate knowledge of the needs of the institution. Mr. Ryerson's presidency of the Board of Trustees was never merely honorary. He made it a business and a service. No one connected with the University had a more comprehensive knowl- edge of its affairs or a more complete mastery of the details of its affairs. He knew every need and gave continually where and when giving would do the most good. His contributions during the first quarter-century aggregated six hundred thousand dollars. But his gifts of money and buildings were the least of his services. The things that were invaluable to the University were his financial knowledge, his business sagacity, his architectural taste and skill, his high ideals of education, his comprehensive views combined with his detailed information, his enlightened and entire devotion to its 273