Elihu Yale was a British-American colonial administrator and philanthropist. Although born in Boston, Massachusetts, he only lived in America as a child, spending the rest of his life in Engl Wales, and India. He became a clerk for the East India Company at Fort St. George , and eventually rose to President of the settlement. He later lost that position under charges of corruption for self-dealing and had to pay a fine. In 1699, he returned to Britain with a considerable fortune, around £200,000, mostly made by selling diamonds, and spent his time and wealth in philanthropy and art collecting. He is best remembered as the primary benefactor of Yale College , which was named in his honor, following a sizable donation of books, portrait, and textiles under the request of Rev. Cotton Mather, a Harvard graduate. No descendants of his have survived past his grandchildren.