Yale University Scrapbook

George Douglas Miller was born in Rochester, New York to Samuel and Mary Ann Miller. Prior to enrolling at Yale University, he studied at General Russell’s Collegiate Institute and Williston Seminary. He graduated from Yale University with his undergraduate degree in 1870. While at Yale University he was a member of the Skull and Bones secret student society, to whom he later gave Deer Island, which he had inherited from his father.

After graduating, Miller worked for a short time at Linonia Library and a publishing house in New York before beginning work at the New England Car Spring Company in 1872. In 1879, he left this position to work as a general manager for the New York and Straitsville Coal and Iron Company. After leaving the company he went on to work for various coal and paper companies, including New Haven Electric Light Company, New Haven Heat Supply Company and Thompson Paper and Pulp Company.

Miller was married in 1877 to Anna de Peyster Douw. He had four children: Mary, Helen, Samuel and Margaret. Unfortunately the latter two died in infancy.

In 1911, he began construction on what would become Yale University’s Weir Hall, on land he owned. The project was continued when Yale University purchased the land from Miller in 1912.

Miller traveled extensively during his life. He was a member of the Albany Institute and an honorary member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society.