Cooper, Peter

(1791-1883), philanthropist, was born in New York City. He greatly promoted the progre of industrial improvement in the United States, and in 1854-59 erected the ‘‘Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art,’’ where the working cla es may receive free instruction. He was a careful thinker on questions of government and finance. In 1876 he was the Presidential candidate of the National Independent Greenback party. 185