Tulane, Paul

Paul (1801-1887), an American merchant. He was a native of Princeton, N. J., and was of French descent. His father was a farmer. Paul received a common school education. In 1822 he opened a store in New Orleans, and amassed a fortune in the mercantile business. He left his property to a board "For the Promotion and Encouragement of Intellectual Education Among the White Young People in the City of New Orleans, State of Louisiana." By an arrangement with the state legislature this board took over the State University of Louisiana, which was founded in 1832. The name of the institution was then changed to Tulane University of Louisiana, under which it still prospers. Tulane's gifts amounted in all to $1,100,000. Louisiana has refused to bind itself to support the institution, but, as a matter of fact, liberal appropriations have been made by the state from year to year.