This once-popular song pays tribute to Matthew Vassar, founder of Vassar College (V.C.), who was born on April 29, 1792, in Norfolk, England. He had made a fortune in the brewing business. His niece, Lydia Booth, inspired Vassar to donate half of this fortune, as well as 200 acres of land in Poughkeepsie, New York, to establish a women's college. He intended for it to be comparable to the best universities of the day, most of which excluded women.

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