Moses Taylor Pyne
| Moses Taylor Pyne | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
December 21, 1855 New York City, New York |
| Died | April 22, 1921 (aged 65) Princeton, New Jersey |
| Spouse(s) | Anna Margaretta Stockton |
| Children |
Percy Rivington Pyne 2nd Robert Stockton Pyne Moses Taylor Pyne Jr. |
| Parent(s) |
Percy Rivington Pyne I Albertina Shelton Taylor |
Moses Taylor Pyne (December 21, 1855 – April 22, 1921), was a financier and philanthropist, and one of Princeton University's greatest benefactors and its most influential trustee.
The son of Percy Rivington Pyne and Albertina Shelton Taylor, Pyne was born in New York City in 1855, and graduated from Princeton in 1877. Pyne inherited an enormous fortune from his maternal grandfather and namesake, Moses Taylor who was first president of the First National City Bank of New York and a stockholder in the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad.
Pyne decided early on in his life to dedicate himself to advancing the interests of his alma mater, and in 1884 gained a seat on the Board of Trustees of Princeton at the age of only 28. Settling in the town of Princeton, his beautiful estate, Drumthwacket, is now the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey. Pyne's wealth allowed him to focus on his philanthropy and involvement in civic organizations, and the list of organizations in which he was involved speaks to the extent of his generosity and the breadth of his interests. According to historian William Selden:
“Moses Taylor Pyne was a director of four banks, four steel and metal manufacturing companies, one gas company, one insurance company, eight railroads and president of one railroad, two hospitals, two secondary schools, two YMCAs; and a vestryman of four Episcopal churches. He was a member of twenty-five clubs, twelve of which were Princeton University undergraduate eating clubs, as well as president of the Princeton township governing board, a member of the New Jersey Public Library Commission, the first president of the earlier Princeton Historical Association, and president of the board of the first Princeton Inn which he helped to finance and build in 1891 on part of the original Morven property. In fact, for nearly a quarter of a century no enterprise of importance in Princeton would be started without the assurance of endorsement from Moses Taylor Pyne.”
He died on April 22, 1921 in Princeton, New Jersey and was interred at Princeton Cemetery.
The total amount of money that Pyne gave to Princeton, including the University, its students, faculty, and related institutions, is truly incalculable. “The extent of his financial aid to Princeton has never been disclosed. It was known to be very large but the point was one which he never cared to discuss.” He poured an untold amount of money into the general fund, and while Pyne never disclosed how much, “it is known...that for several years he drew his own check to cover the deficit in the university budget.” According to the Princeton Alumni Weekly:
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