Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private research university in Troy, New York. It is the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world and the Western Hemisphere. It was established in 1824 by Stephen Van Rensselaer and Amos Eaton for the "application of science to the common purposes of life".
Former names: Rensselaer School (1824–1834) · Rensselaer Institute (1834–1861)