Elihu Yale

Elihu Yale, (April 5, 1649 – July 8, 1721), was the first benefactor of Yale University. His ancestry can be traced to a family of North Wales, and the name Yale is the English spelling of the Welsh place name, Iâl. He was a prominent governor of Madras, in British East India, amassed a fortune in his lifetime, and he was generous with the proceeds.

Death and legacy

Yale died on July 8, 1721 and is buried in the churchyard of Wrexham, North Wales. His tomb is inscribed with these lines:

Related Topics:
July 8 - 1721 - Wrexham - North Wales

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Born in America, in Europe bred

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:In Africa travell'd and in Asia wed

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Where long he liv'd and thriv'd; In London dead

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Much good, some ill, he did; so hope all's even

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:And that his soul thro' mercy's gone to Heaven

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:You that survive and read this tale, take care

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:For this most certain exit to prepare

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Where blest in peace, the actions of the just

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Smell sweet and blossom in silent dust.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Elihu later became the name of a "senior society" founded in 1903 at Yale.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Alexandra Robbins, in her article for Atlantic Monthly about Skull and Bones, alleges that the gravestone of Elihu Yale was stolen years ago from its proper setting in Wrexham, and is displayed in a glass case, in a room with purple walls, which belongs to a building called the Tomb of the Skull and Bones at Yale University.

Related Topics:
Skull and Bones - Gravestone - Wrexham - Yale University

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~