William Marsh Rice

William Marsh Rice was an American businessman and philanthropist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He made his fortune primarily through real estate and cotton trading. Rice is best known for founding Rice University in Houston, Texas, as a private institution for higher education. His legacy was nearly derailed when he was murdered in 1900, in a case that shocked the nation. Despite this tragic event, his estate was used to establish Rice University, which remains a prestigious academic institution today.