Wayman Crow
Encyclopedia
Wayman Crow was one of the founders of Washington University, a St. Louis businessmen, as well as a politician. Born in Kentucky
in March 1808 Crow entered into the dry goods business at the age of 12, as an apprenticeship in a general dry goods store. Eight years later Crow started his own dry goods business. He soon became a successful businessmen and moved to St. Louis
in 1835. In 1840 Crow was elected as a Whig
to the Missouri state senate. In 1846 he secured the charter for the St. Louis Mercantile Library
Association, the oldest library west of the Mississippi River
. In 1853 he secured the charter for Eliot Seminary, the precursor to Washington University. He continued his activities with the university and continued to be a member of the board of trustees until his death in 1885.
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
in March 1808 Crow entered into the dry goods business at the age of 12, as an apprenticeship in a general dry goods store. Eight years later Crow started his own dry goods business. He soon became a successful businessmen and moved to St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
in 1835. In 1840 Crow was elected as a Whig
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
to the Missouri state senate. In 1846 he secured the charter for the St. Louis Mercantile Library
St. Louis Mercantile Library
The St. Louis Mercantile Library, founded in 1846 in St. Louis, Missouri, was originally established as a subscription library, and is the oldest extant library west of the Mississippi River. Since 1998 the library has been housed at the University of Missouri-St. Louis...
Association, the oldest library west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. In 1853 he secured the charter for Eliot Seminary, the precursor to Washington University. He continued his activities with the university and continued to be a member of the board of trustees until his death in 1885.