New-York tribune., 1904-10-08
PROF. FIsKE's GIFTS TO CORNELL.
The Bulk Of His Fortune to the University
Library.
JzE TELEGRAPH TO TIE raIsuxE.l

IBY TELEGRAPH TIE TRIBUNEl
ithaca, \. Y. Oct. THE viii OF Professor Dan
Eel willard Fiske who died al Frankfort-on-the
Main, Germany. on September II. beaueaths 10
Cornell University aggregate Of 500 0Oo AppI-
cation for the admission OF the viii 70 probate
made here this afternoon. Mr. F5ske was az one
time Librarian and professor OF North European
languages IN Cornell He inherited from his wife.
Jennie McGraw Fiske. daughter OF one Of the trus-
tees and 0enefactors Of Cornell. a large fortune.
Mrs. Fiske left % Cornell the greater part OF her
fortune for the establishment of Ibrary but after
long litigation the viii aside in Professor
FSske's favor.
After providing suitably for his surviving kin
and for those IN his service. Professor F1ske be-
questhed the library Of Cornell University his
superb collections relating Iceland and the old
Sea n6inavian literature and history, and al his
books relating 10 the Italian poet Petrarch These
TWO collections are said 10 the most perfect in
existence Further Professor FIsks made adequate
provisions for funds TO maintain and increase the
Petrarch and Icelandic collections well the
great Dante collection which he had previously
presented TO the library OF Cornell University. A
fund is also provided for the publication OF an
anal volume relating % Icelaadic history and liter
Gture The special funds provided for these pur-
poses aggregate $4,000.
A UNIQUE fund is also created. to be held by the
Governor General OF Iceland trust, the income
OF which Is be expended annually IN ameiorat-
ing the conditions OF families inhabitng the tiny
Island Of Grimsey, lying OF the north coast OF
Iceland. This island. described by the VIII, y-
Ing Just Inside Arctic Circle is the northern
most community Of the Germanic race, and is in
habited by a few families. who maintain with
dfaculty their srduous existence They have a
church ana pastor and library 81 few hundred
volumes
The villa which Professor Fiske owned near
Florence Italy. dating back 10 the days q Boc-
caccio and more recently occupied by the English
author. Waller Savage LandOr, is TO be cold and
the proceeds turned over 10 the Cornell hhrary
His best paintings. together with antiques VII oe
sent 70 the public gallery al Reykjavik; Iceland
To COrueG Chapter OF Psi Epsilon. OF which Pro
fessoT FSske was a member. he left fund TO sup
ply The library OF The chapter with afteen OF the
best periodicals Of America and Europe AL the
residue OF the estate IL subject 10 payment of Ger
tain annuities 20 Cornell. 10 be held In trust, the
income be devoted 10 the uses and purposes Of
the university library. This fund. with the special
funds mentioned viii reach the sum OF S5o0.0O-
graduate OF Cornell. now general attorney or the
New-York Central Railroad Company, and Horatio
S. Whss. formerly dean OF the faculty Of Cornell
ara 4 professor or German al Harvard Inc
latter a,so named a. Professor Fiske's literary
eXecuNJr. and VIII sail FOR italy within the next
few DAYS give persOnal attention 10 valuable
books and papers n Florence
MF. Place said last night, regarding the will:
The provisions Of this VII relating 70 Cornell
University reveal The public purpose which
Professor FIske had cherished for many years
6nc which was communicated privately 70 his
friends 70 hestcw upor the library. the foundation
and development Of which due 10 his
- fostering care. whatever he might have
acouDu ulatec throughout his life. For the last
twenty years his gifts this institution have been
numerous and constant and his 5enefacfions are
now crowned 81 this nchle provision. the bestowai
of which IL matter Of ongratul alton, not only
Tor the friends - the university but for the whole