William Bucknell

William Robert Bucknell (April 1, 1811 – March 5, 1890), born near Marcus Hook, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was a real estate dealer and agent, builder of gas and water works, and patron of Bucknell University.^[1]

In 1882 Bucknell donated $50,000 to the university when it was in trouble financially.^[2] In 1886 the university changed its name from the University at Lewisburg to Bucknell University, in his honor.^[3]

Bucknell married Harriet Burr Ashton (1815-1851), Margaret Knowles Crozer (1827-1870) and finally, Emma Eliza Ward (1853-1927), who became a Titanic survivor. A daughter, Margaret, became a painter.^[4]

References

1. "General catalogue of Bates college and Cobb divinity school, 1863–1915," p. 232, Bates College (1915), accessed November 9, 2009. Books.google.com. September 20, 2007. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
2. Leslie, W. Bruce, Gentlemen and scholars: college and community in the "Age of the University, p. 43, Transaction Publishers (2005), ISBN 1412804582, 9781412804585
3. Snyder, Charles McCool, ''Union County, Pennsylvania: a celebration of history'', Penn State Press (2000), ISBN 0-917127-13-7, ISBN 978-0-917127-13-7. Books.google.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
4. David Bernard Dearinger; National Academy of Design (U.S.) (2004). Paintings and Sculpture in the Collection of the National Academy of Design: 1826–1925. Hudson Hills. pp. 20–. ISBN 978-1-55595-029-3.