Evening star., 1936-03-07

ROOM HONORS GLORIOUS LIFE
Shrine Created Georgetown Branch of Washington Public
Library Represents Inspiration Shared by Two Nations
in Splendid Beneactions of George Peabody, American

factions or George H
that monarch, Queen Victoria, offered
the one-time grocery clerk the honor
of English knighthood. The years
between that moment Of his entry
into Georgetown and the hour of a
queens royal favor were marked by
milestones of almost unbelievable
success.
During the War Of 1912 George
Peabody served as q volunteer in
the American Army at Fort Warbur-
ton. The quartermaster of the bat
terry was Francis Scott Key, and in
the annals of the time it was recorded
that the worth, wealth and talent"
of Georgetown and the District of
Columbia were represented in Magru-
der's Battery, as 1t was called. A
modern writer comments: 1T was,
however, democratic enough to in
clude in its ranks a clerk named
George Peabody"
The brief struggle over, the young
volunteer from New England went
back to Georgetown and entered the
wholesale dry goods establishment of
Elisha Riggs. He won a partnership
in the Baltimore branch of the COM
pany in 1914, and his splendid capa-
city for finance increased the busi-
ness to such degree that in 1929
his partner retired and he was left
at the head of one of the largest
mercantile concerns in the world.
In behalf OF this firm, he first
visited England in 1927. His wise and
practical mind saw great possibilities
for establishing a banking house
there, specializing in American securi-
ties. In 1887 he carried out this
monetary dream.
ESTABLISHING himself in London
under the name George Peabody
d Co.. he met with the same ex-
traordinary success that seemed to
reward his every effort. His touch
was as magical as that OF Midas,
but with no such disastrous results.
He ammassed a princely fortune,
aided his own countrys credit in
England, and then pushed his rank
as the worlds greatest fnancier into
secondary place by devoting his
wealth to charitable and educational
purposes with lavishness which won
for him the title he valued most
friend of the common man."
An interesting sidelight on his
character is the frank avowal he
once made, when praised for his
benefcence. Il really give to over
come myself. I am by nature par
simonious." This statement from a
man the record Of whose public be-
stowals reads like a slamorous fairy
tale!
An economic genius by nature, and
his own untiring perseverance, he
valued, beyond anything else in the
world, the advantages of education.
Having missed them himself. he deter
mined to make them possible for the
deserving youth of future generations.
The beauty Of his vision unfolded
itself In the foundation Of many
libraries--"schools for the people,
where they may help themselves"
as he expressed it.
Whatever his estimate of himself
might have been as to parsimony.
he has left the world an impression
OF a nature so noble that success
could not taint it; power could not
make it forget, and the acquaintance
ship OF royalty could not lessen the
memory of old and humble friends.
To Georgetown, where he won his
first success, he gave $4,000 to
found library.
Ihls was Georgetown's first library
rare gift of appreciation from an
adopted and grateful son. For years
1t has been located in the Curtis
School, a stones throw from the
corner where George Peabody once
worked as a clerk. It's collection is
now housed in the new GEORGETOWN
Library and the choicest treasures of
the original foundation are guarded
lovingly in the Peabody memorial
room.
OTHER educational endowments
were: $250,000 to his birthtown,
South Danvers, for library and lee
ture course: 81, ,400, 900 to the City of
Baltimore, Nd, for a library, lecture
course and Academy of Music and
Art; $150.000 each to Yale and Har-
ward Universities for special depart
ments; $4,000 to Phillips Andover
Academy, Massachusetts,. and the
same amount to Kenyon College, Ohio.
In Salem, Mass, he founded an
academy Of science, called the Pea
body Museum, where an unusual COL
lection Of marine, natural history and
Oriental specimens still attracts
Nationwide attention (the Essex In
stitute of Salem has in its library all
the account books, letters and private
manuscripts from his London offlce)
To Newburyport. where he worked for
so short time, he also gave library.
Thus runs part Of the record of his
benefactions educational. All were
eminently wise and helpful. and few
touched with that magic light of ro-
mance-the sentiment of q busy man
for the environments OF his early
struggles.
His two outstanding world gifts are
$500, 900 for the promotion of educa-
ton in the Southern States and
s2,5oo, 200 to build tenement houses in
the City of London.
In 1848 his resourcefulness saved
the State Of Maryland from bank
ruptcy. Having completely restored
the credit Of the State, he refused all
remuneration for his efforts, but ac-
cepted with delight the special vote of
thanks extended by the Legislature.
Affectionate appreciations always
seemed to touch some deep-seated SEN
timent in his rugged nature. Although
he held aloof from the strife Of Ameri-
can politics, he gave his native land
the benefit of his business acumen and
the unlimited aid Of his wealth.in any
financial crisis.
In 1851 he s,lpplied the amount