Henry van Wart

Henry van Wart (1784 - 1873) was an American, but became British by special act of parliament. He was a businessman and politician, a founder of the Birmingham Stock Exchange, one of Birmingham's first Aldermen and a director of the Birmingham Banking Company.

Related Topics:
1784 - 1873 - Birmingham - Aldermen

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He was married to Sarah, the sister of author Washington Irving. They had four children: William (1812 - 1868), Matilda (b. 1814), Marianne (b. 1816). and George (b. 1817; later a wine merchant). William would later name his first- born Washington Irving Van Wart (b. 1836), whose niece in turn was called Rosalinda Irving Van Wart (b. 1874).

Related Topics:
Washington Irving - 1812 - 1868 - 1814 - 1816 - 1817 - Wine - 1836 - 1874

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Henry and Sarah met when he was employed by her family's New York company, Irving & Smith, and they moved to England when he was tasked with opening a Liverpool branch of the firm.

Related Topics:
New York - England - Liverpool

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After that enterprise failed, they moved to Birmingham, and he set up a profitable business, exporting the city's goods to America.

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Washington Irving lived with the van Warts at four of their homes in Birmingham, light- heartedly christening two of these buildings "Castle van Tromp" and writing some of his most successful stories at them.

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He is also known to have worshipped at St Paul's Church in St Paul's Square, Birmingham.

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