The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-08
81, 100, 900 FOR COLUMBIA.

81, 100 900 FOR COLUMBIA.
GIFT TO the Univcrsity from Duo de Loubat,
Otherwise Joseph y. Leubat.
II was announced yesterday that the Duo do
Loubat, better known perhaps to New Workers
as plain Joseph f.. Loubat, had given property
valued at 81, 100. 600 TO Columbia University.
This is tho largest gift over made to tho in
stitution and exceeds by $1o0. 900 President
Lows gift Of the million.dollar library on Morn
ingside Heights. The income of the property is
to be devoted to tho library, which now con-
tains 2s3. 900 volumes and has room for l,b0o.-
900 books.
Tho announcement of the gift was made In
the afternoon by John b. Pine. clerk Of tho
Board Of Trustees, after the regular monthly
meeting Of that body, The property consists of
tho Office buildings at 5o3-511 Broadway and
1882 Mercer street. having q frontage of 125
feet on Broadway and extending through to
Mercer street. The gift is subject to an annuity
of $50, 900 during Mr.. Loubat's life. Upon Mr..
Loubat's death the property or its proceeds, less
any excess of income advanced by the Univer-
sity, 10 to constitute an fund for tho
maintenance and support of the University
Library, under the name OF the "Gaillard.Loubat
Library Endowment Fund" The Fund is named
in memory of tho mother and father of the Duo
de Loubat.
Mr.. Loubat, though not a graduate of the uni
versity, has been before this u generous bene-
factor. Besides having given a number OF books
and manuscripts to the library, he is the founder
of the Loubat prizes of 81 900 and $500, which
arc awarded by the university every fve years
for the best work written in the English lam
guage upon the history, geography. archaeology,
ethnology, philology. or numismatics of North
America.
The trustees adopted q resolution accepting
Mr.. Loubat's gift with thanks, and expressing
their appreciation OF his generosity.
Mr.. Baker, the librarian of Columbia, is per.
haps the best acquainted with Mr.. Loubat of any
of the officers of the university. To a reporter
of THE sun he said:
1.-The Due de Loubat. though 1t may seem an
anomaly. is really an American citizen. He Is
the son of a very rich New Yorker. He first
came into prominence in 1867, after the close
of the civil war. Then, 1t will be recolleoted,
the United States sent an embassy to Russia to
thank tho Emperor and the Cove rnment for
their sympathy and help during the civil war.
Mr.. Joseph F. Loubat. as he was then known,
was the secretary to that embassy"
Then Mr.. Baker made an allusion to Mr.. Lou
bats troubles with tho Union Club. through
which he became best known to the general
public. These occurred about fifteen years ago.
Mr.. Loubat had a dispute with another men,
Der, which led to talk Of a duel and then to his
expulsion from the club. He thereupon brought
suit for reinstatement. and was successful after
prolonged litigation. After this episode he went
to live In Paris.
"In Paris" continued Mr.. Baker. she became
very much interested in archaeology. and in
history Of all sorts. He made extended research
and studies. He spent a small fortune on old
manuscripts and original documents. All
this while. however. he was mindful of
his duty to his fellow man. He made
extensive gifts to the Roman Catholic Church,
both in Europe and in America. His donations
became so very prominent that they merited
the attention Of tho Pope. At first the Pope
conferred upon him the title Of Count. and then
that of Duke. That is how he gained his title.
He travels very extensively in his work of
research. or recent years he has spent much
time in Central America looking up original
manuscript history and studying tho archG-
ology OF that region. He was 80 inter
ested in his work that he had some
of the original manuscripts reproduced upon
he recently presented to Columbia. 1t is in the
glass case In the reading room: 1t cost him
SsrcR@olosy are NOW on their way here. having
been sent on the belated La Champagne.
You ask me how he became interested in
Columbia. Well. ne has always felt that Now
York ought to be the centre Of higher education
in this country. He therefore has Interested
himself in the most prominent institution OF the
sGs' first in 'G Sift. lie had had then Sn'f fISis aS % %ritin ms
his 'Medallic History of the United States
This consisted of two volumes OF etched repro
d%uctions Of every medal ever given by Con.
most famous etchers in the world. The
s MnSI' d PaGaHe''o I fE9Ss 'ot NJ. OF Lo ID most lost
$50. 600 on the transaction. He .gavo all the
remnants of the only edition published to Co
lumbia: Later ne gave. us every ono OF those
valuable plates. On each Of his vista to New
How did Mr.. Loubat come to- give this i'm
mense amount just at present really cannot
tell you. He is not an intimate friend OF any OF
the officers Of the institution. 80 far as know.
education In this city. / believe. He saw Presi-
dent LOWS magnificent gift and determined
to go him one better in the way of muniticence,
! guess. Yes. l guess his gift will put us almost
library equipment whom 1t has attained it's
greater growth. We feel very grateful to Mr..
Loubat for this and very proud for Columbia"
Another important announcement was made
Il was decided to establish in tho College Of
Physicians and Surgeons IA department Of phys
tendon. Phi. D.. of Yale Is recognized ms
world on the subject. There We're, many
efforts made to bring him to Columbia.
DR.. Chittendon steadily refused to leave New
Haven. Finally. however. upon the offer OF u
sented to take charge, of the new department,
STIMULATING, however, that he should retain his
place at Yale. William Fl. Giles. Phi. d.. was ap-
pointed an instructor under him. Alfred New
ton Richards, A. b., and Henry e. McDermott.
A. b., will BIO assistAnts-
DINNER TO MR.. HENRY Err.