van RENSSELAER, Stephen [1764-1839] -- American soldier, General

Wiki: Stephen Van Rensselaer III

As heir to a huge estate in upstate New York, he granted tenants perpetual leases at moderate rates, which saved would-be landholders from having to pay all of their money up front. This meant that they could invest more in their operations, which led to increased productivity in the area. Over time, van Rensselaer would become landlord over 3,000 tenants, and proved a lenient and benevolent landowner. His tenants, who did not have to work in fear of sudden foreclosure or unfair treatment, were able to focus on their work, and the productivity Van Rensselaer created benefited the entire Albany area.

Despite his active life, van Rensselaer's most lasting contribution to the world was to establish, with Amos Eaton, the Rensselaer School (now known as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or RPI) "for the purpose of instructing persons, who may choose to apply themselves, in the application of science to the common purposes of life" in 1824. RPI became a well-respected American technological institution. WIKI  
 

1786

1789-1791

1791-1796

1795

1801

1812/10/13

1816-1839

1819-1839

1821

1822-1829

1824

1824