Corning 2nd's legacy

Thanks, Roger for the factoid of Corning's years -- I found out that though the building was dedicated to him at his death in 1983, it was actually completed in 1973.

A nice excerpt from Paul Grondahl's biography (apparently referred to as a "minor classic" in the NYT Book Review, according to Amazon.com) is here. (Via Wikipedia). The excerpt begins with a description of a cockfight -- which is offered as the link between the aristocratic Corning family and the (Albany Political Machine) O'Connells (esp. Dan O'Connell, who is credited with having placed Erastus 2nd in office). According to Grondahl, Albany GOP chief Joseph F. Frangella said (referring obliquely to Dan O'Connell), "Erastus Corning is an expert second fiddler to the oldest one-man band in America. "

The lefthand photo above is not Erastus Corning -- it's from the visitor's badge I have to get each day I work there -- they take your picture and give a printout on a sticker with a barcode which allows you access to the building. I've saved them all. I think I will make a collage...

Another interesting factoid: Erastus 2nd's father was named Edwin, and he died in 1934 at the are of 51. My great-grandfather Edwin Oliver died in 1933 at a similar age. But that was in Illinois.... Still, though -- coincidence?....