Crocker Institute of Cancer Research
The Crocker Institute of Cancer Research was established at Columbia in 1912 with a 1 million dollar gift from the estate of wealthy Californian George Crocker, who had died of cancer in December of 1909. The gift was made in the form of property, 1 East 64th Street, which was subsequently tied up in litigation brought by Crocker's step-children who alleged that they'd been defrauded of their interest in the property by Crocker.[1][2][3]
Crocker's gift stipulated that funds be used only for research, and that none of it be be used to erect a building. As a result the Institute originally took up residence in Schermerhorn Hall with the Zoology Department. By December 1913 the Institute had its own space in the $40,000 3 story Crocker Research Laboratory on the empty parcel on the northeast corner of 116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
The Institute's first director was Francis Carter Wood.[4]
Today, Columbia's cancer research is carried out at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, which makes a passing reference to the Crocker Institute on its website.
References
- ↑ ATTACK $1,000,000 CANCER CURE GIFT; George Crocker's Step-Children Say He Defrauded Them of the Property Left to Columbia, New York Times, September 22, 1910
- ↑ The Laboratory Rat, by Mark A. Suckow, Steven H. Weisbroth, Craig L. Franklin Pg. 26-28
- ↑ Millions for Cancer, Time Magazine, July 5, 1937
- ↑ [1]
