The Washington herald., 1908-02-18
PEABODY NATAL DAY
Great PhilanthrOpiSt Once
Lived in Georgetown.
ONE OF FIRST BIG GIvERS
baltimore and other Places in
America, IN Well as London,
Beneficinries of His Extensive
Charities-Refnsed Baronetcy
from Queen Victoria.

resident Of Georgetown early last
century. and one of the worlds greatest
philanthropists, the anniversary OF the
birth Of George Peabody which takes
place to-day, will no doubt be of inter
est 10 the people of the District Of Co
lumbia.
George Peabody was born on February
IS. 1928, in a parish Of Danvers, Mass,
now known as Peabody.
Employed In Georgetown.
Dependent upon his own labors for sup
port. he came AT the age OF sixteen or
seventeen years. to Georgetown, d. G.
where he later became associated with
Elisha Riggs, a wholesale dry goods mer-
chant. Twice during the war of 1Slz
he was volunteer in defense Of his
country.
In 1918 the firm In which Peabody was
q partner removed to Baltimore. and
aftcrward established branches in New
York and Philadelphia. In 1870 ne became
the head OF the firm, and continued to
reside in Baltimore during the next few
years.
Later ne founded the house OF George
Peabody * Co. in London. He remained
there until his death
During his long absence from the United
States he maintained the livelest interest
in MS native land. as shown by lib
eral gift TO promote the American ex-
hibit in the Worlds Fair of 1851. by a
large contribution for the second Kane
expedition 10 the arctic region, and by a
MuniHeenee of Donations.
During the later years of AR Pea
body's life his gifts increased in amount
and in variety Of purposes. To his native
place he gave about $4,000 to found the
Peabody Institute and Library, and gave
North Danvers $4,000 for a similar insti-
tuition.
He contributed $4,000 each to the
Massachusetts and Maryland historical
societies. and $4,000 to the Peabody
Academy Of Sciences at Salem. To Har-
varG and Yale he gave Sl50OOO each, and
20 Phillips Academy and Kenyon College
$4,000 each. During the civil war he
gave $4,000 to the United States SAM
tary Commission.
Three other gifts transcribed those al
Il aUNfNlOU
the city OF Baltimore he gave more than
SlS9,ooo to found the Peabody Institute.
To the city of London he gave s.. 500 00J
for the construction Of lodging houses.
and to a separate board known as the
trustees Of the Peabody educational fund.
he gave mo9e than 100000 to promote
education in the Southern States.
Refused n Bnronetcy.
such munifcence. then without parallel.
brought Mr.. Peabody much gratitude
and honor from England and the United
States. Queen Victoria offered TO make
him baronet or give him the Grand
Cross Of the Bath. He declined both
honors and expressed a preference for
letter from the Queen. which he soon
received. and placed in the institute at
Danvers.
Congress caused gold medal TO be
struck in acknowledgement of his gifts
for education. which aggregated about
SI090,G00. Oxford made him a d. c. L. in
1856.
MI. Peabody. who never married died
in London on November 4, 1869. His body
vas brought TO the United States by the
British man-of-war Monarch. and was
received by an American squadron under
command of Admiral FarTagut. at Port
land. Ne. The interment after appro-
Pirate services, was made at the philan-
thropists birthplace.
Davis InauGurated President.
Forty-seven years ago to-day Jefferson