George Washington
George Washington, the first President of the United States, is tenuously affiliated with Columbia.
His stepson, John Parke Custis, attended King's College in 1773, to which he brought his own slave. After less than a semester, Custis was forced to withdraw, having spent his entire year's allowance. Washington corresponded with the President of King's College, Myles Cooper, on three occasions during his stepson's enrollment. He gave his son £100 to defray expenses[1]. He asked for an account of Custis's expenditure on his unexpected withdrawal and elopement[2]. Finally, he settled all final expenses for £65[3]. Notably, Washington wished to transact his bills of exchange on the spot market, instead of opting for a more sensible futures contract.
Later, Washington led his troops during the Battle of Harlem Heights on what is now today the Morningside Heights campus.
Washington also attended Commencement on May 6, 1789, having just been sworn in as President a week earlier.
References
- ↑ http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=WasFi03.xml&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=93&division=div1
- ↑ http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=WasFi03.xml&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=122&division=div1
- ↑ http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=WasFi03.xml&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=145&division=div1
