Ward Melville
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John Ward Melville (January 5, 1887 - June 5, 1977) was an American philanthropist, and businessman.
John Ward Melville was born in Brooklyn in 1877, son of Frank Melville, Jr. Ward Melville attended college at Columbia University, where he was active in the school newspaper and the Philolexian Society, and he continued to be involved with the university after graduation. After college, Melville married Dorothy Bigelow while working in his father's shoe company. Upon the United States' entrance in World War I, Melville enlisted (or was drafted?).
After the war, Melville continued to work in his father's company, eventually taking control of it. He would also serve as a member of the school board in Setauket, New York, a town on Long Island. Here Melville was very active in many philanthropic works around the area of Stony Brook, New York, and surrounding towns. These ranged from restoring old buildings, to natural conservation to supporting education. Among these works was the donation of land that would be used for the site of Stony Brook University. Later, he would be made Chairman of the Council of that university by Governor Averill Harriman.
Melville died in 1977 and is buried in Setauket at the Caroline Church.
Ward Melville's legacy is well remembered in western Suffolk County. A High School is named for him, as well as numerous organizations that serve various needs. The main library at Stony Brook University is named for father. There is also a hamlet in Suffolk County named Melville since 1854.
External links
- The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (http://www.wmho.org/)
- Ward Melville High School (http://www.3villagecsd.k12.ny.us/schools/wardmelville.asp)