A Life Forged in Finance: The Remarkable Story of Russell Risley Sage Russell Risley Sage, a name perhaps more readily associated with the corridors of Wall Street and the iron rails of burgeoning American railroads than with artistic patronage, nevertheless occupies a fascinating space within the cultural landscape of 19th-century America. Born August 4, 1816, in Verona, Oneida County, New York, Sage’s trajectory was one of relentless ambition, shrewd financial acumen, and ultimately, significant philanthropic impact. His origins were humble; his parents, Elisha Sage Jr. and Prudence Risley…