J. P. Morgan

John Pierpont Morgan (April 17, 1837 – March 31, 1913), American financier and banker, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, a son of Junius Spencer Morgan (1813–1890), who was a partner of George Peabody and the founder of the house of J. S. Morgan & Co. in London. At the turn of the century (1901), J. P. Morgan was one of the wealthiest men in America.

Personal

Morgan was a notable collector of books, pictures, and, other art objects, many loaned or given to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (of which he was president), and many housed in his London house and in his private library on 36th Street, near Madison Avenue, New York City (now the Pierpont Morgan Library). He was a benefactor of the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harvard University (especially its medical school), the Lying-in Hospital of the City of New York and the New York trade schools.

Related Topics:
Metropolitan Museum of Art - Madison Avenue - New York City - Pierpont Morgan Library - American Museum of Natural History - Harvard University - Medical school - Lying-in Hospital - Trade school

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In his satirical history of the United States, It All Started with Columbus, Richard Armour commented that "Morgan, who was a direct sort of person, made his money in money... He became immensely wealthy because of his financial interests, most of which were around eight or ten percent... This Morgan is usually spoken of as 'J.P.' to distinguish him from Henry Morgan, the pirate." A chronic skin disease, (Rosacea), plagued Morgan's nose, causing it to appear purple; a popular rhyme ran: "Johnny Morgan's nasal organ has a purple hue..."

Related Topics:
United States - Richard Armour - Henry Morgan - Skin disease - Rosacea

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~