Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-02-29
SOME OF HIS GENEROUS GIFTS.


He soon became one of the wealthiest
men in America, and began to admit the
public to a share in the treasures of art thai
his fortune had enabled him to accumulate
The private gallery at his mansion was
thrown open to visitors on certain days in
the week, and in 1857 he founded and en-.
dowed the magnificent Corcoran Gallery,
transferred his pictures thither, bought
many others, and gave the gallery to the
public. He spent about $500, 900 in fitting
it up, and in addition established an endow.
ment fund of nearly million dollars for it's
benefit. He had previously, in 1947, given
to the publ the picturesque soak HILL
on Georgetown Heights as city of the
dead, expanding about $120, 1000 in improv-
ing it. Upon the death of his wife and his
daughter he founded, built and endowed
the Louise Home, arefuge for gentlewomen
in old age. This building cost about $780,
600, and has an endowment fund of $780,
000 He has made large gifts to Columbian
College, the new university building in this
city being mainly of his donation. He has
given frequent and large donations to the
College of William and Mary, the Virginia
Military Institute, the University of Wash.
ington and Lee, and the University of Vir.
ginia. To this last named institution he
made gifts amounting to about $500. 600.
besides library of about 1900 Volumes
On the receipt of the telegram giving ews
of the Chicago fire lie sent $4,000. He
headed the list for the fund for Ms Gar
field with o check for similar amount.
and in huoGreds of other cases has re.
sponded with great prnmptness and liber
ality.
In religious faith Mr.. Coreoran was an
Episcopalian, though he subscribed to the
erection and support of all churches. He
was the largest subscriber to the new
Church Of the Ascension, in this CITY.
which church he attended and gave it 800.
600. The various orphan asylums were
regular recipients of his munifcence. In
1855 and since, MIR. Corcoran remembered
the birthplace of his father, ireland. dur.
ing its famines, giving $1,000; when Kos
suth appealed for aid he furnished the
means by which over one hundred Hunga-
rians were transported from New York and
settled in the West Morse, the inventor
of the electric telegraph, received great en-
enlargement for his purpose, Mr.. Corcoran
being one of the first subscribers to the
fund by which Horse carried on his expert
ments. He was a-so large stakeholder in
tho hiHO Oi0"'iio eoioSl dpu company ever
started. One of the most notable enter
prises of Mr.. Corcoran was the trausporta-
ton from Tunis, in Africa, to Washington
of the remains of John Howard PAYNE the
author of "Home, Sweet Home" Under
his auspices Payne's remains were bnied
with appropriate ceremonies at Oak Hill,
and handsome monument was erected to
his memory under the supervision of Mr..
Corcoran, The philanthropist, George
Peabody, and Mr.. Corcoran were boys to-
getber in Georgetown. Ia 1S63-64 MIR.
Corcoran was III Europe, the guest of
George Peabody, and they spent the winter
in Italy together. On bis last visit to this
country Mr.. Peabody spent the summer
with Mr.. Corcoran at the White Sulphur
Springs, ia Virginia. Mr.. Corcnran for
the third of century had home in the
hearts of the people of this District, which