Дженни Макгроу: Филантроп и меценат Корнеллского университета

American philanthropist (1840–1881)

Jennie McGraw, also Jennie McGraw Fiske (September 14, 1840 – September 30, 1881), was a millionaire philanthropist to Cornell University along with her parents John McGraw and Rhoda Charlotte Southworth. In 1868, she gave the university a set of chimes. The first tune played at any Cornell Chimes concert is the "Cornell Changes", also known as the "Jennie McGraw Rag". They continue to be played every day from McGraw Tower on the campus. She was also the founder of the Southworth Library in Dryden, New York. Upon her death, she left a significant bequest to Cornell University. Her will designated monies for a library, McGraw Hall, a student health center, and additional monies to be used as the university wished. She was married when she was 39 to professor and librarian Willard Fiske, but lived less than two years following the wedding ceremony.

McGraw was born September 14, 1840, in Dryden, New York to Rhoda Southworth and John McGraw a self made industrialist and millionaire. Rhoda McGraw died of tuberculosis in 1847. and the family lived in Westchester County, New York. The McGraws moved to Ithaca in 1862

She gave Cornell its set of chimes which have been rung daily since the University's opening ceremony on October 7, 1868. They were first installed in a temporary wooden structure and later in the McGraw Tower. Every morning concert includes a playing of the "Jennie McGraw Rag", also known as "Cornell Changes". Her father discouraged suitors. Willard Fiske met Jennie in 1869 John McGraw died on May 4, 1877. The History of Dryden states that her step mother received $2 million from his will, McGraw inherited a trust of $500,000. on what had been Cornell University land between Fall River and University Avenue in Ithaca. The house had Gothic architectural details like bartizans, turrets, and donjon keeps.