Leland Stanford is today a largely forgotten man. Yet he is the quintessence of the great American legend: the farm boy who makes good through hard work and struggle-the embodiment of the Horatio Alger myth.
For the first time, a biography of Stanford and his times is presented, dispelling myths and misinformation and revealing the details and depths of a man considered by his contemporaries to be the leading figure in California history.
Extremely detailed with meticulous research, this two-volume set not only illuminates Stanford, his family, and intimates, but includes a wealth of information in the text and sidebars concerning the myriad of people and things he touched and influenced.
Stanford was one of the nineteenth century's most important figures. His accomplishments include:
First Republican Governor of California.
First President of the Central Pacific Railroad.
First President of the Southern Pacific Company.
Owner of the world's largest vineyard.
First among the world's trotting horse breeders.
First in world champion trotter records.
Developer of the world's first motion picture.
First president (and builder) of the California Street Cablecar.
First president of Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company.
First in wealth in the United States Senate for his day.
First President of the Bodie Mining Company.
Largest private university endowment of all time.
Creator of the largest university in land area in the world.
First president and co-founder of the Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company.
First Railroad President elected to the United States Senate.
Stanford had his human passions and frailties. But muckrakers, progressives, and political reformers were anxious to debunk heroes. Simply because he was a member of a successful class, critics often branded him and other successful businessmen robber barons, selfish representatives of the octopus-age of railroad growth. The author faces these charges and dispels them.
Almost nothing has been researched and written on Stanford's many specialized interests or activities, each of which would warrant a scholarly monograph. This biography, by delving into the public and private activities and passions of the man, corrects the oversights of past historians and gives us a multi-faceted image of an amazing historical figure.
In politics, business, philanthropy, and education, Stanford left a remarkable legacy. Stanford University was his greatest monument-an institution which he founded, named for his son, and endowed in such a way that it has become one of the world's finest institutions of higher learning.
A two-volume set of approximately 1200 pages, containing an historical introduction, notes, bibliography and index. Illustrated with 175 photographs, portraits, maps, document reproductions, and charts. Printed on acid-free paper and bound in linen-finish cloth with foil-stamped spine and printed dustjackets.
