William S. Barstow

Biography

William Slocum Barstow (1866-1942) was an electrical engineer and philanthropist.

He graduated from Columbia College with a major in chemistry and considered pursuing graduate studies in chemistry. However, the emerging age of electricity caught his attention, so during his senior year, he decided to enter the field of electricity. He began his career as an apprentice with the Edison Machine Works (Edison General Electric and later General Electric) and was paid eight dollars per week.