Cochran Marvin

William Cochran served as headmaster of Columbia Grammar School for a four-year period between 1784 and 1788. The school, originally founded in 1764 as The Grammar School of King's College by Columbia University, has a long history of preparing students for higher education. It began by teaching foundational subjects like English, Greek, and Latin grammar to future freshmen. Over the centuries, the school evolved, eventually dissolving its formal ties with Columbia University in 1865 and later adding "Preparatory" to its name. The institution has occupied various locations, with its current site on West 93rd Street in Manhattan established in 1907. It has undergone significant physical expansion and mergers, notably with the Leonard School for Girls in 1956, to become a coeducational institution.

Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School traces its origins back to 1764, established by King's College (now Columbia University) to provide foundational instruction in English, Greek, and Latin. William Cochran held the position of headmaster from 1784 to 1788, during a formative period for the institution. Initially named The Grammar School of King's College, its name changed to Columbia Grammar School alongside Columbia University during the American Revolution. The school operated under the direct auspices of the college for its first century. A significant figure during this early era was Charles Anthon, an esteemed classical scholar who served as headmaster and saw the school supply a substantial portion of Columbia College's freshman class.

The formal relationship between Columbia Grammar School and Columbia University concluded in 1865, after which the school transitioned to a proprietary status before eventually achieving nonprofit status in 1941. The addition of "Preparatory" to its name occurred in 1969. The school's physical footprint has expanded considerably over time. In 1907, it relocated to its present-day location on 93rd Street. A pivotal merger in 1956 with the adjacent Leonard School for Girls integrated the latter's facilities, which were housed in interconnected brownstones, and transformed the school into a coeducational entity. Subsequent decades saw continuous expansion with the acquisition and construction of multiple buildings, enhancing academic, athletic, and administrative facilities.