Building Stanford University: An analysis and Interpretation of Stanford Family Correspondence

Abstract

Stanford is the youngest of the top 10 universities in the world. This means both that Stanford rose quickly to prominence, and that there is a large amount of documentation and correspondence related to the time of its founding. In a time when many believe university should be a free public good, this research raises the question, “What is the purpose of a university?” The author explores the personal correspondence of Leland Stanford his wife, Jane Stanford, to understand what they intended the purpose and role of Stanford University to be. A mix between the great universities of the east, a technical college, and a museum, the Leland Stanford Junior University was a tribute to the Stanford’s only son who died unexpectedly on a trip to Europe. The Stanford’s decided to make the youth of California their descendants and their inheritance became Stanford University. Through primary source research of personal correspondence, the author exposes how Stanford was unique as a private university in openness to women, commitment to secularism, and desire for the combination of liberal arts and practical skills. The author explores how Stanford University was planned, built, and how it evolved in its early life. Of special significance is the leadership of Jane Stanford after her husband’s death in 1893. The analysis of the early formation of Stanford University gives the reader insight into the purpose and utility of higher education in the modern era.