Columbia University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Columbia University stands as a beacon of academic excellence, renowned for cultivating some of the most influential figures across various disciplines. From groundbreaking politicians and visionary scientists to celebrated artists and innovative entrepreneurs, Columbia's alumni have left an indelible mark on the world. This article explores the diverse achievements and contributions of some of Columbia's most notable graduates and former students, showcasing the university's profound impact on society.

Political Pioneers and Leaders

Columbia University has a rich history of producing influential political figures who have shaped the course of nations.

Alexander Hamilton

One of the seven Founding Fathers of the United States, Alexander Hamilton, attended Columbia College (then King's College) from 1773 to 1774. Although he couldn't graduate due to the Revolutionary War, his time at Columbia laid the foundation for his future role as the first Secretary of the Treasury. During the war, Hamilton led a troop of artillery soldiers in many battles including the Battle of Princeton and achieved notoriety for his service.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, attended Columbia Law School in 1904. Though he left after three years to pursue a career in law and later politics, his time at Columbia undoubtedly influenced his understanding of law and governance. Roosevelt served as president from 1933 until his death in 1945, leading the nation through the Great Depression and World War II.

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, also boasts Columbia connections. He wrote his successful book ‘The Naval War of 1812’ during this time. Later in the year, Roosevelt became the youngest ever President of America at age 42 and served a full eight years in office.

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Barack Obama

Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, studied political science and English literature at Columbia University, graduating in 1983. His time at Columbia shaped his intellectual foundations, which would later influence his political career. Before becoming president, Obama practiced and taught civil rights/constitutional law and served as a member of the Senate. Obama ran for presidency in 2008 and served two terms until 2017.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, studied at Columbia Law School, where she excelled, graduating in the top 4% of her class. Her time at Columbia Law School ignited her lifelong dedication to fighting gender discrimination and advocating for justice.

Scientific Luminaries and Innovators

Columbia University has also fostered the development of brilliant minds in the fields of science and technology.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson, a renowned American astrophysicist, science communicator, and author, completed his Ph.D. in astrophysics at Columbia University. He obtained his Master’s degree in 1989 and in 1991 was awarded his PhD from Columbia University. Tyson's ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in an engaging manner has made him a prominent figure in popular science.

Baruj Benacerraf

Baruj Benacerraf, an American immunologist, earned his Bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 1942. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his groundbreaking work in the discovery of the major histocompatibility complex.

Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov, a prolific American writer and biochemistry professor, earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry from Columbia University. Despite facing challenges due to discrimination against Jewish students, Asimov persevered and became one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers.

Herman Hollerith

Herman Hollerith, an engineer, received his Engineer of Mines degree in 1879 and a Ph.D. from Columbia University. He is best known for inventing the tabulating machine, a precursor to modern computers, which revolutionized data processing.

Literary Giants and Artistic Visionaries

Columbia University's influence extends to the realms of literature and the arts, where its alumni have produced groundbreaking works and challenged conventions.

Allen Ginsberg

Allen Ginsberg, a beat poet and author of the influential poem "Howl," was a proud Columbia alum. Columbia was where he met future literary giants like Jack Kerouac. Ginsberg was part of the "Beat Generation," a group of writers who challenged the establishment with their open, often controversial ideas.

Art Garfunkel

Art Garfunkel, an American singer and poet, earned a Master's degree in mathematics education from Columbia University in 1967. Despite pursuing a doctorate, he left when his music career with Paul Simon peaked. Simon & Garfunkel are best known for their songs ‘The Sound of Silence’ and ‘Mrs. Robinson’ and were awarded with four Grammy awards and a Brit award.

Read also: Paying for Columbia

James Franco

James Franco, an American actor and filmmaker, graduated from Columbia University School of the Arts with a Masters in writing in 2010. Franco subsequently starred in many successful films including ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’, ‘Pineapple Express’ and ‘This is the End’. He has also written and directed many other productions.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal, an acclaimed actress and filmmaker, studied literature and East Asian studies at Columbia University. Before she made us cry with her performances in The Dark Knight and The Secretary, Maggie studied literature and East Asian studies at Columbia, showing that she had both the brains and the acting talent.

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys, an accomplished singer-songwriter, was accepted into Columbia University at age 16 but decided to leave after a month to pursue her music career. Alicia Key’s first album ‘Songs to A Minor’ was met with critical acclaim and went on to win five Grammy Awards. Since then, Keys has released eight more albums and has a total 16 Grammy awards and nine Billboard Music awards, to count a few!

Business Tycoons and Financial Leaders

Columbia University's alumni have also made significant contributions to the world of business and finance.

Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett, a renowned American businessman and philanthropist, earned a Masters in economics from Columbia University. Buffett earned a Masters in economics from Columbia University before emerging into the world of business. After many successes, Warren obtained the textile manufacturing firm ‘Birkshire Hathaway’ and used its name to create a holding company. He is currently the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.

Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft, a prominent businessman, holds a B.A. from Columbia University. He is best known as the owner of the New England Patriots, a successful NFL team.

Other Notable Alumni

Beyond the aforementioned categories, numerous other Columbia University alumni have achieved prominence in various fields.

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart, an American aviation pioneer, enrolled in medical studies at Columbia University in 1919 but left after a year. Amelia Earhart had a passion for aviation and, as well as achieving a world first for female pilots, was an ardent supporter of women’s rights and a member of the National Woman’s Party. She became the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic.

Bhimrao Ambedkar

Bhimrao Ambedkar, an Indian politician and economist, obtained a Ph.D. degree in economics from Columbia University in 1927. Ambdebkar quickly became known for his writings and activism for the social freedom of India’s ‘untouchables’. He then engaged in a 15 year long career in Indian politics where he crafted India’s Constitution.

Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet, a French-American actor, attended Columbia University at age 17 for one year, studying cultural anthropology before transferring to New York University to pursue acting further. Chalamet had his first highly successful role as a lead character in ‘Call Me By Your Name’ in 2017 and later featured in films such as ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Little Women’.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal, an internationally renowned American actor who studied Eastern religions and philosophy at Columbia University but dropped out after two years to focus on his acting career in 1999. Gyllenhaal’s career began to bloom after this and now he is known for roles such as ‘Donnie Darko’, ‘Nightcrawler’ and ‘Nocturnal Animals’.

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