Crothers, George Edward, 1870-1957

Judge and member of the Stanford Board of Trustees (1902-1912). He served as attorney to Jane Lathrop Stanford and was part donor of two graduate dormitories at Stanford University.

From the description of George E. Crothers papers, 1905-1957. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122510691

Biographical/Historical Sketch

Judge and member of the Stanford Board of Trustees (1902-1912). He served as attorney to Jane Lathrop Stanford and was part donor of two graduate dormitories at Stanford University.

• 1870: Born (May 27), Wapello, Iowa; son of John and Margaret Jane (Fair) Crothers.
• 1883: Family moved to San Jose, California. Crothers attends San Jose HighSchool.
• 1895: Received A.B., Stanford University (in "Pioneer Class").
• 1896: Received A.M. (in law), Stanford University. Admitted to California Bar.
• 1897: Formed partnership With brother in San Francisco law practice.
• 1898: Retained by Mrs. Jane Stanford to write amendment to California State Constitution for purpose of reducing tax burden on University.
• 1899: Began serving as attorney in Fair Trust case (to 1902). Became president, General Alumni Association of Stanford University. Elected to membership, Golden Gate Commandery # 16, Masonic order. Received Order of Red Cross, Masonic order.
• 1900: Received Order of Temple, Masonic order.
• 1902: Became first alumnus to serve on Stanford Univ. Board of Trustees.
• 1904: Formulated By-Laws & Rules of Order for board of trustees. Devised articles of faculty organization adopted by board of trustees, March 31, 1904
• 1905: Acted as attorney for board of trustees on death of Jane Stanford. Recomnended establishment of Jewel Fund for acquisition of library books for Stanford University. As chairman, committee on medical education, brought about association of Cooper Medical College with Stanford University.
• 1909: Became chairman, independent Republican movement, San Francisco. Represented Theodore Roosevelt in urging California Governor & legislators not to undertake land legislation against Orientals.
• 1911: Married Elizabeth Mills (March 23). Became chairman, Board of Trustees, San Francisco State Normal School. (to 1921)
• 1912: Became chairman, Republican County Committee (to 1913).
• 1913: Appointed judge of Superior Court of San Francisco.
• 1915: Elected to succeed himself on bench by highest vote ever accorded by San Francisco Bar Association.
• 1916: Resigned as chairman of Republican County Committee.
• 1919: Served as presiding judge of Superior Court.
• 1920: Wife, Elizabeth, died (August 18).
• 1921: Returned to active practice of law.
• 1924: Made a summer tour of Europe.
• 1932: Published article, "Outline of History of Founding of Stanford University".
• 1933: Delivered speech, "Educational Ideals of Jane Lathrop Stanford"
• 1946: Announced he would help to finance building of graduate dormitory for law students to be called "Crothers Hall"•
• 1948: Completion and dedication of Crothers Hall.
• 1951: Two new wings added to Crothers Hall.
• 1953: Announced he would help to finance building of graduate dormitory for engineering students to be dedicated to his mother, Margaret Jane Fair Crothers, and to be called "Crothers Memorial Hall".
• 1955: Completion and dedication of Crothers Memorial Hall.
• 1957: Died, May 16.

Memberships: California Historical Society, American Law Institute, American Political Science Association, Schoolmaster's Club of California, Stanford Faculty Club, Commercial Club, Commonwealth Club, Marin Country Club, Pacific Union Club, University Club of San Francisco, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, American Historical Association, Sigma Nu, Phi Delta Phi, Burlingame Country Club, San Francisco Opera Guild, American Geographic Society.

Honorary trustee, San Francisco Boys Club.

Director, Western States Life Insurance Company.

Life trustee, Leland Stanford Junior Kindergarten Trust.

For further reference see Container # 13 for biographical data concerning George Crothers.

From the guide to the George E. Crothers papers, 1905-1957, (Department of Special Collections and University Archives)