Robert M. Widney

Robert Maclay Widney was born on December 23, 1838. He was an important American lawyer and judge. Widney is best known for helping to start the University of Southern California, or USC.

As a lawyer and judge, Widney helped make fair decisions and support justice in his community. His work in founding USC helped create a place where many students could learn and grow over the years.

Widney lived until November 14, 1929, leaving behind a legacy of education and leadership. His efforts helped shape the history of southern California and made a lasting impact on many lives.

History

Robert Maclay Widney was born in Piqua, Ohio. He was the older brother of Joseph Widney, who later became the second president of the University of Southern California (USC). He was also related to Robert Samuel Maclay, a missionary, and Charles Maclay, a state senator.

Widney left Ohio in 1855 and spent time hunting and trapping on the Great Plains and in the Rocky Mountains. He later studied at the University of the Pacific and became a lawyer in 1865. He moved to Los Angeles in 1867 and became a judge there. He helped start the city's first public rail transit with a horse-drawn trolley line.

In the early 1870s, Widney and others saw the need for a university in Los Angeles. It took nearly ten years, but in 1879, he helped form a board of trustees. They received a large land donation from three community members, which helped start the university. A statue of Widney was unveiled at USC in 2014. He passed away in Los Angeles in 1929 at the age of 90.