"In October 1857 two young brothers "were ushered into the drawing room of Christopher Rhinelander Robert noted New York merchant and philanthropist; They requested Robert to help finance the opening of an institution of higher learning in Istanbul." So begins the story of the founding of Robert College the first American institution of higher education abroadand the predecessor of Boğaziçi University nearly one and a half centuries ago. It is first and foremost the story of the character and aspirations of Cyrus Hamlin the driving force behind the establishment of the school and of the complex relationship between him and the other two individuals who made the realization of this educational project possible Christopher Robert and George Washburn. This in itself is a fascinating and compelling tale one that will hold the attention not only of those in