The New International Encyclopædia/Rutgers, Henry

RUTGERS, rŭt'gẽrz, Henry (1745-1830). An American patriot and philanthropist, born in New York City. He graduated at King's College (now Columbia University) in 1766, at the outbreak of the Revolution entered the Continental Army, in 1776 took part as a captain in the battle of White Plains, and after the war became successively major and colonel of New York militia. He also took an important part in State politics, and was elected to the Assembly as a Republican in 1784, 1800, 1801, 1802, and 1807. From 1802 to 1826 he was a regent of the University of the State of New York. In 1819 he was a member of a committee organized with a view to perfecting a method for checking the advance of slavery. He is probably best known as the benefactor of Rutgers College (q.v.). He also gave numerous sites for church purposes, and his charities were liberal.