This fund was established in 1995, in memory of David Levy Yulee, to support scholarships and lectures at the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

David Levy Yulee was born in the West Indies in 1811. In 1824, he went to Florida, studied law and engaged in planting. He was elected a delegate to congress from the territory of Florida, and served from March 31, 1841 until March 3, 1845. Yulee was a delegate to the State constitutional convention, was elected a U.S. senator from Florida as a Democrat, serving from December 1, 1845 until March 3, 1851, and again in the Senate from December 3, 1855 until January 21, 1861, when he retired to join the southern Confederacy.

During the Civil War, Yulee served as a member of the Confederate congress, and at its termination was confined as a prisoner of state at Fort Pulaski until he was pardoned by President U. S. Grant. At one time, Yulee was president of the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad in Florida. He was interested in the development of Fernandina and Cedar Keys, and was one of the corporators of the railroad between those two places. Both the town of Yulee and Levy County, Florida are named for him.

David Levy Yulee passed away in New York City on October 10, 1886.