Moore, Cornelius C., 1885-1970
Dates
- Existence: 1885 - 1970
Biography
Cornelius C. Moore was a lifelong resident of Newport who donated Moore Hall to Salve Regina University in memory of his parents in November of 1950. Having been involved with the University since its inception, Moore served in a number of positions over the years, including legal advisor for the university, Chairman of the Advisory Board, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Moore was also among the first two people to be awarded honorary degrees by Salve Regina University, accepting a Doctor of Law degree on June 6, 1960.
While Cornelius C. Moore was greatly appreciated for his involvement with Salve Regina University, he was also well-known as a prestigious member of the Newport community for his more public professional contributions. Moore was a prominent Newport banker, esteemed lawyer, and passionate politician. In years 1936, 1940, and 1944 Moore served as Rhode Island Delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In 1951, Mr. Moore was elected president of the Newport National bank, which he was able to expand from a small institution to one with a number of offices throughout Newport County. From 1956 to 1960 Moore was involved in a series of legal disputes against the Commerce Oil Refining Corporation of New York, where he represented both the Portsmouth Priory school and the town of Jamestown, R.I., in their opposition to an oil refinery being constructed on or near their land properties.
In March of 1964, a portrait of Cornelius C. Moore was unveiled in Salve Regina’s McAuley Hall, honoring him for his contributions to the school.
Personally interested in historic American silver, over the course of his life, Moore built a collection of Colonial silver among the foremost of its kind. He was known to hold public exhibitions of his collection often, and eventually donated it to Providence College. The collection inspired the production of the novel, “American Silver, 1670-1830: the Cornelius C. Moore Collection at Providence College” by Alice HRH Beckwith and Anne E. Spokas.
Cornelius C. Moore passed away when he was eighty-five years old on August 11, 1970, after a long illness.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Mother Mary Matthew Doyle papers
This collection contains biographical information and correspondence relating to Mother Mary Matthew Doyle, first President of Salve Regina University, 1947-1948.
Mother Mary Hilda Miley papers
This collection contains biographical information, administrative reports and correspondence relating to Mother Mary Hilda Miley, second President of Salve Regina University, 1948-1964.