 The history of Cornell University begins when its two founders , Andrew Dickson White of Syracuse and Ezra Cornell of Ithaca , met in the New York State Senate in January 1864 . Together , they established Cornell University in Ithaca , New York , in 1865 . The university was initially funded by Ezra Cornell 's $ 400 @,@ 000 endowment and by New York 's 989 @,@ 920 @-@ acre ( 4 @,@ 006 @.@ 1 km2 ) allotment of the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862 . 
