Seth Low

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Seth Low

Seth Low was president of Columbia College, then of Columbia University. As you may have guessed, he had a lot to do with the name change. Oh, and the campus moved from Midtown to Morningside Heights under his watch. He also built Low Library, in memory of his father, Abiel Abbott Low.

While the move to Morningside Heights is Low's lasting legacy, equally important was his work to coordinate the activities and faculties of the numerous graduate schools that had been founded under F. A. P. Barnard's watch into a well organized university. His people skills and deft touch earned him the name the "Great Harmonizer."

In 1902, he left Columbia to become mayor of New York City, paving the way for Nicholas Murray Butler to take charge.

The Seth Low Professor of History chair is named after him.

Preceded by
Frederick A. P. Barnard
President of Columbia University 
1890-1901
Succeeded by
Nicholas Murray Butler