DU’s library is named after Spencer Penrose, who was born Nov. 2, 1865, in Philadelphia. In 1892 he came to the Pike’s Peak region and participated in the Cripple Creek gold rush. He founded the Utah Copper Co., which eventually merged with Kennecott Copper. In 1937 Spencer and his wife set up the El Pomar Foundation, which activated upon his death in 1939. The foundation donated $4.5 million for the construction of Penrose Library in 1972. The Foundation is now largest private philanthropic institution in the region, with assets of more than $400 million.