Cooper Union

To give it the correct title The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, was established in 1859. It is undoubtedly one of America’s oldest and most illustrious institutions of higher education. Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist, Peter Cooper, the establishment offers an education in art, architecture, engineering, humanities and social sciences. Uniquely the Cooper as it is known has never barred women as students. In the early years the Women’s Art School was operated during the day, separately from the Men’s Night School. In 1897 the Cooper established a museum that is now the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, New York and forms part of the Smithsonian Institutions. The most famous art alumnus known to the British public was undoubtedly Ron Kitaj and others include inventor Thomas Edison and more recently architect Daniel Libeskind.