Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FOUND'ER, n.

1. One that founds, establishes and erects; one that lays a foundation; as, the founder of a temple or city.
2. One who begins; an author; one from whom any thing originates; as, the founder of a sect of philosophers; the founder of a family or race.
3. One who endows; one who furnishes a permanent fund for the support of an institution; as, the founder of a college or hospital.
4. [Fr. fondeur.] A caster; one who casts metals in various forms; as, a founder of cannon, bells, hardware, printing types, &c.