Index
Scholarships
The Lillia Babbitt Hyde Scholarship
The Lillia Babbitt Hyde Scholarship, established in 1978, is awarded with preference given to women from the New York City area.
Lillia Babbitt was born in New York City, the daughter of successful inventor and entrepreneur, Benjamin Talbot Babbitt. He was born in Westmoreland, New York, and developed and manufactured baking soda (Star Yeast Powder) and soap (Babbitt's Best Soap). He also invented most of the machinery used in his plants, with over 100 patents to his name. His soap was also the first product in the United States to be advertised nationally.
Lillia married Clarence Hyde, a Manhattan lawyer, in 1891. After his death in 1918, she devoted her life to philanthropy, with specific interests in the arts, medical research, health care, and education. The Lillia Babbitt Hyde Foundation was founded in 1924, and Lillia remained president until her death in 1939. The Lillia Babbitt Hyde Scholarship was originally established in 1992 at Kirkland College, but was transferred to Hamilton after the two colleges merged in 1978. The Lillia Babbitt Hyde Foundation and the John Jay and Eliza Jane Watson Foundation were consolidated in 1983, forming the Hyde and Watson Foundation.
June 2014
Please note: The named scholarships profiled on these pages are awarded as part of the College’s need-based financial aid packages. These funds help ensure the Hamilton Promise of keeping education affordable through meeting a student’s full demonstrated financial need.
Materials published here were diligently researched and written by students who strived for historical accuracy.
