Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Low, Seth

LOW, SETH, an American educator; born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1850; was graduated at Columbia University in 1870; made a member of his father's mercantile firm in 1875; mayor of Brooklyn in 1881-1885; and was elected president of Columbia University in 1890. In 1895 he erected for that institution a grand university library at a cost of $1,175,000. In honor of President Low's generosity and in accord with his desire, the trustees of Columbia founded 12 scholarships in the university for Brooklyn boys and the same number in Barnard College for Brooklyn girls, and also agreed to found eight annual scholarships. In 1899 he was appointed by President McKinley a member of the delegation to represent the United States at the International Peace Conference at The Hague. Mr. Low was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Greater New York in 1897; and was again nominated for the office on a fusion ticket in 1901. After accepting the nomination he resigned the presidency of Columbia University in order to begin a vigorous campaign, which resulted in his election to the mayoralty. He was defeated in 1903 for re-election by George B. McClellan. He served in important public capacities, and was a member of many learned societies. He died Sept. 16, 1916.