Why did Leland Stanford create University?

Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane Lathrop Stanford, founded Leland Stanford Junior University primarily to honor their only child, Leland Stanford Junior, who died of typhoid fever at the age of 15. Their grief fueled their desire to create a lasting memorial that would benefit future generations. They envisioned a university that would be accessible to all Californians regardless of social class, race, or gender (though this ideal wasn't fully realized initially). They also aimed to create a leading institution for higher learning focused on both the liberal arts and professional training, a "university of the highest standard," reflecting their belief in the power of education to improve society.