Leland Stanford

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/leland-stanford

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Leland Stanford born?March 9, 1824
2. When did Leland Stanford die?June 21, 1893 (age 69)
3. Where was Leland Stanford born?Watervliet, New York, USA
4. Who was Leland Stanford?Leland Stanford was a rich businessman and lawyer who helped build the first transcontinental railroad and later served as California's governor and a U.S. senator.
5. Why did Leland Stanford build a university?After his son died, he and his wife wanted to honor his memory by giving many children a chance to learn, so they founded Stanford University.

Industrialist: A person who owns or controls a large industrial business, often accumulating significant wealth and power.
Philanthropist: An individual who actively promotes the welfare of others, especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.
Transcontinental Railroad: A railway network that spans an entire continent, crucial for westward expansion and national economic integration in the 19th century.
Legacy: A long-term impact or contribution that a person leaves behind, influencing future generations and societal development.