Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-24
was sold a few years ago for s2O0 ZOO. the IN Jney
being turned over to the Corcoran Art GALLERY.
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being turned over to the Corcoran Art Gallery.
HIS DEEDS OF PHILANTHROPY.
In 1852 Mr.. Corcoran, having acquired large
fortune, retired from the banking house Of Cor
philanthropy. The list OF his charities and his
benefactions to public institutions Is long one.
In 1s47 Mr. Corcoran contributed nberaily TO SUI.
ferers by the Irish famine and his action then and
his generous contrbutionsin In aid OF the Hungarian
exlles excited the admiration OF George Peabody.
existed warm friendship. Mr. Corcoran has been
muMncent patron OF AIT and education, and his
boanteous philanthropy has extended also TO OBJ
lects appealing more TO tenderer sentiments than
love OF art or learning. The Corcora2 Art Gallery,
begun In 1859. cost $780, Before the struc-
lure was @ nnished the war broke out Mr. Cor
dence abroad during his declining years TO remain
Ing here In the midst OF civil strife. His absence,
ment. The Corcoran Art Gallery building was seized,
and occupied during the war by the Quartermaster-
Generals once. Mr.. Corcoran's house would like
wise have been confscated, but the French min-
ster protected it, claiming that he had rented IL.
AFTER the war, Mr. Corcoran having returned, the
Art Gallery was completed.
Mr.. Corcoron placed in 1t his own private art
collecton, valued at 500, O,0OO endowed the insti-
tuition with 500 O00 and formally presented it TO
The public on Washingtons birthday, 1872. Since
then he has bought from his private purse and
presented TO the gallery many notable paintings
ana sculptures. The gallery has from its muniri-
cent endowment an income OF $50, 900 year. Mr..
Corcoran about the same time erected and en-
dOwed the Louise Home for "ladies who have seen
better days" Upon this object OF philanthropy
he expended about half a million dollars. To the
Protestant orphan Asylum he gave the property
on l4th street, on which the Orphan Asylum
building stands; to the Columbian University he
gave the Medical School on street. and more
recently he endowed the Corcoran scientific
School; to Ascension church, OF which Bishop
Pinkney, an old friend OF Mr. Cor
coran's was formerly rector, Mr.. Corcoran
gave $50 900; TO Georgetown, his native place, he
gave Oak Hill Cemetery, in which some years ago
he erected a mausoleum, I'm which his own remains
will be laid away. His various gifts to the Uni
versity OF Virginia are said To amount TO $50 600,
and he has been muni1cent patron also OF Will
lam and Mary's College, the Virginia Military In
stitute, the Washington and Lee University, and
the Virginia Theological seminary OF the Protest
ant Episcopal Church. Five years ago Mr.. Cor
coran bore the expense OF having the remains OF
John Howard Payne, the author OF .'Home, Sweet
Home," removed from their grave in Tunis and
brought to the poets native land. He had the
body reinterred In Oak Hill Cemetery, and marked
the spot with an appropriate monument. MIR.
Corcoran also erected monument TO his old friend
Bishop Pinkney. He performed many deeds OF
charity @ OF tb more private character In lsIs ne
and gave it to the great nieceS or Jonn Randolph,
OF Roanoke, who have conducted a school there.
ON his eighty-nfth birthday he received from
Paris, as recognition OF his services to art and
his deeds OF charity, decoration OF the ancient
Order OF Melusne, founded in 1855 by the Queen
OF Guy de Lusignan, King OF Jerusalem. The order
Is benevolent and scientific one.
HIS LAST YEARS.
Mr.. CorcOrans later years were spent in
quiet enjoyment OF his home, and the many pleas
ant relations he made. A notable day in his life,
| each year, was the anniversary OF his birth.
He spent the day usually at the Louise
Home. HIS elegant home at the corner OF Connec-
ttcut avenue and Ii streets, was purchased by Mr..
aTSm Daniel n, HAS ATTACHED
years ago, occupied whole square. Mr.. COrcoran
| gave much attention to this garden and like his
| flowers. HIS large figure bent somewhat with
age, his fine head, crowned with mass OF snowy
| hair. and his kindly old face, were familiar 70
i a. I'm y m rod n IN
| frequently. He was always scrupulously dressed,
wore gloves carried a handsome gold-headed cane
| His home was frightened by the presence
| there OF his granddaughter and his nieces. He
retained large share OF his physical vtgor up tC
the time OF his illness last SUMNER ali his facul-
ties being in good state OF preservtiOn and hence
| was permitted TO enjoy to the full the peace and
contentment that waited upon the closing years Of
q welI-spent life
| THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT
| Mr.. Corcoran was for many years vice-presiden'
and practically the president OF the Washing
ton Monument Society The President OF the
United States is er-cGfcio president OF the
society. MI. Corcoran was reelected vice.
on Washington's birthday, though he wa.
| then known to be IN dying condition. He
| the Monument and In the work OF erecting 1t. IL
| was largely through his influence that the Gov.
ernment finally appropriated money to complete
| the shaft
MR. CoRCORANs HOME.
| Mr.. COrcOran, the venerable philanthropist, was
| an intimate frien1 OF Daniel Webster. The fine
house on Lafayette Square, in which Mr.. Corcorar
| lived for many years, was once the residence
OF the great statesman having been presented Il
him by some OF his friends. When Mr.. Webster
retired from public life Mr.. Corcoran purchased
| the house from him. In this elegant and sub
stantial residence, surrounded by its spaciou,
| gardens, Mr. Corcoran formerly entertained IL
| very handsome style. From 1880 to 1850 Mr.
Corcoran was the gracious host OF the public mer
OF all the States, Mr.. Webster, Mr.. Clay, Mr. Cal
| houn, John Quincy Adams Mr.. Everett, Mr.
Mr.. sumner, Mr.. Winthrop, Mr.. Fish, all the grea
| leaders, North and South, came together undel
| his roof.