4 of 14: George Peabody (1795-1869): A-Z Handbook...., by Franklin and Betty J. Parker, bfparker@frontiernet.net
Following Background "Preface" below 4 of 14 blogs covers alphabetically: Eaton to Hapsburgs.
Background: "Preface" 1 of 14 tells the why-when-where-how-findings-and-motives of the authors’ research on Franklin Parker’s doctoral dissertation, “George Peabody, Founder of Modern Philanthropy,” completed 1956 at George Peabody College for Teachers, adjoining Vanderbilt University, which on July 1, 1979, became Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, Nashville.
George Peabody, so well known in the 1850s-60s but since sadly neglected, was a significant 19th century figure as: 1-a Massachusetts-born merchant in the U.S. South: Riggs & Peabody, later Peabody & Riggs (1814-38), who imported dry goods and other commodities (worldwide) for sale to U.S. wholesalers. George Peabody then became: 2-a London-based merchant-banker, George Peabody & Co. (1838-64), who financed in part the B&O RR, the 2nd Mexican War Loan, the Atlantic Cable, and with J.S. Morgan as partner, was the root of the JP Morgan international banking firm. Finally, this merchant-turned-banker became: 3-the best known philanthropist of his time (1850s-60s), who founded the Peabody Homes of London for the working poor; in the U.S. 7 Peabody Libraries and Lecture Halls; the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Baltimore; three Peabody Museums at Harvard (Anthropology), Yale (Paleontology), and the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA (maritime history); and founder of the Peabody Education Fund for the South (1867-1914), basis for all later larger U.S. funds and foundations. End of Background.
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C.J.M. Eaton & the PIB
Eaton, Charles James Madison (1808-93). 1-PIB Creation. C.J.M. Eaton was a public spirited Baltimorean, art collector, GP's long time friend, and an original PIB trustee connected with its origins. He worked with other early PIB planners, particularly John Pendleton Kennedy (1795-1870). Kennedy was largely responsible for planning the five part PIB, modeled in part on the British Museum, consisting of: 1-a reference library, 2-lecture hall and lecture fund, 3-art gallery, 4-music conservatory, and 5-prizes to the best Baltimore public school students, all jointly governed by both the PIB trustees and the Md. Historical Society trustees, with the Md. Historical Society housed in the PIB building. For early PIB plans and trustees, with sources, see also Kennedy, John Pendleton. PIB.
Eaton, C.J.M. 2-PIB Trustee. This joint governance never materialized. Both sets of trustees disagreed over building site, design, cost; and which set of trustees made final decisions. Some Md. Historical Society trustees feared that their older organization would be submerged in the new PIB. Civil War angers aggravated these differences. Before the PIB dedication and opening, Oct. 25, 1866, at GP's request, the Md. Historical Society withdrew from this arrangement, compensated by GP's $20,000 gift to its publication fund. Ref. (Early Baltimore and its libraries): Hubbell, p. 481. Kahn (Master's thesis), pp. 2-4. Scharf-a, pp. 280, 403, 405. Uhler-f, pp. 61-64.
Eaton, C.J.M. 3-Eaton in London, 1851. But all this lay in the future. In 1851, C.J.M. Eaton was in London. GP asked Eaton for ideas for a cultural institution in Baltimore GP wished to endow. Eaton was then president of the Library Company of Baltimore, begun about 1790 and the only reference library available to the Baltimore public. Eaton explained his idea of transferring the Library Company of Baltimore's 11,000 volumes to the Md. Historical Society. This move would bring together some 500 members of both groups. Eaton hoped that the Md. Historical Society might raise $25,000 as a permanent library fund. Ref.: Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 4-Eaton to GP, 1855. Four years later, in 1855, Eaton was about to merge his Library Company of Baltimore's 11,000 volumes with the Md. Historical Society's library. He wrote to GP in London, reminded him of their 1851 talks, and wondered if GP would like to finance the permanent library fund. Eaton wrote: "I remember with pleasure our téte a téte over anchovy toast and something to moisten it after the opera during my last visit to England four years ago. I expressed a hope that I might be present and helpful should the ground work be laid for your projected munificence to Baltimore. I spoke of the plan, then only an idea but since adopted, of transferring the property of the Library Company of Baltimore (of which I am the President) to the Maryland Historical Society, thus bringing together about 500 members representing the cultural forces of our community." Ref.: Charles James Madison Eaton to GP, Sept. 15, 1855, Peabody Papers, PEM, Salem, Mass.
Eaton, C.J.M. 5-Eaton to GP, 1855 Cont'd.: "The conditions of transfer are for the library of more than 11,000 volumes to circulate to members, be freely open to the public for reference, and that the Maryland Historical Society raise $25,000 as a permanent fund to improve the library collection. "The Maryland Historical Society's function is to record manuscripts and antiquities of Maryland. It has a library, reading room, and gallery of paintings. I believe that its members will, in time, raise the fund desired. Yet I would rejoice if you would take over the venture in your name. Many Baltimore friends would also consent to help." Ref.: Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 6-GP Asked Others for a PIB Plan. In London in 1854 GP also asked visiting Baltimorean lawyer and statesman Reverdy Johnson (1796-1876) to discuss with John Pendleton Kennedy and William Edwards Mayhew (1781-1860) plans for his intended Baltimore cultural institution. Kennedy's journal entries (Dec. 8 and 19, 1854) described Kennedy's talks with Reverdy Johnson and Mayhew about GP's proposed Baltimore cultural institution. Kennedy was in London and attended GP's June 13, 1856, dinner honoring incoming U.S. Minister to Britain George Mifflin Dallas (1772-1864). They talked about GP's forthcoming Sept. 1856-Aug. 1857 U.S. visit when GP planned to found the PIB. See Dinners, GP's, London. Persons named.
J.P. Kennedy, Chief PIB Planner
Eaton, C.J.M. 7-PIB Plan Unfolded. Kennedy's journal described his 1-Feb. 5, 1857, meeting with Mayhew in Baltimore, 2-Kennedy's preliminary plan for the PIB, 3-his [Kennedy's] visit together with Mayhew on Feb. 7, 1857, to GP, then ill with gout in his Baltimore hotel room, 4-GP's offer of $300,000 with more money later, 5-GP's urging purchase soon of a large lot permitting future building expansion, 5-GP's mention of "Charles Eaton as an active coadjutor...," and 6-GP's proposed large gift to the city of London. Kennedy, Eaton, and Mayhew met with GP again, Feb. 9, 1857 (GP was in bed with a swollen knee). They selected trustees from a long list. GP signed the Feb. 12, 1857, PIB founding letter before he left Baltimore for Washington, D.C., Feb. 13. The news broke upon Baltimore with great excitement. See: Kennedy, John Pendleton.
Clash over Building Site
Eaton, C.J.M. 8-Building Site Differences. Mayhew was elected PIB trustee president, Kennedy was trustee vice president, and Eaton trustee building committee chairman. Kennedy's journal entries record his frustrations at PIB trustees meetings because members differed on the PIB's purposes. Kennedy recorded (March 12, 1857): "We have got to wrangling about the object and the plan. One portion of the Board are narrow in their views and do not appreciate the object as they ought to. They would make it a kind of literary and gossiping Club house. I want a large lot and arrangement for an Institution that will be national as well as local. My impression is that for the sake of ample accommodations we should get a few acres of grounds in the suburbs--and there build on them according to our means.--I have no opinion of a Board to do any good work.--I begin to fear we shall not get on well." Ref.: Kennedy's journal, VIIk (March 15, 1857-Dec. 6, 1859), entry Tues., March 14, 1857, Kennedy Papers, PIB.
Eaton, C.J.M. 9-Building Site Differences Cont'd. News that PIB property was being sought, Kennedy heard, had raised land costs. Lots outside Baltimore were offered free in hope that adjacent property would rise in value. Kennedy recorded (April 2, 1857): "I go to the Athenaeum rooms at 12 where I meet the Trustees of the Peabody Institute. The proposals to sell lots are reported--twenty-three offers--but all that are most desirable [are] so exorbitant they are inadvisable. We decline them all. Real property has gone up a hundred per cent since the Peabody donation. The committee are directed to continue their search in their own way." Ref.: Ibid., entry Thurs., April 2, 1857, Kennedy Papers, PIB.
Eaton, C.J.M. 10-Building Site Differences Cont'd. To GP, touring southern cities, Eaton wrote of PIB event and trustee differences (March 21, 1857): "...strange and extreme ideas are now in conflict without any hard or improper feelings,--[some] hints from you are all that is wanted to keep us prudent." Kennedy wanted a large lot of 200 or more square feet for later expansion. He proposed an available city reservoir lot outside Baltimore. Eaton objected, wanting a small lot of 100 square feet in the city. Ref. Charles James Madison Eaton, Baltimore, to GP, March 21 and 26, 1857, Peabody Papers, PEM, Salem, Mass.
Eaton, C.J.M. 11-Building Site Differences Cont'd. Kennedy recorded (April 23, 1857): "My offering this proposition kindles great irritation in Eaton, the Chairman of the Building Committee, who treats it very rudely. He is in a most ridiculous state of petulance and nervous agitation, and makes some silly speeches today, in reply to [Mayor] Swann, who supports my resolution. He has been electioneering amongst the members of the Board and seems to have persuaded them that he can build and organize the institute upon a plan which will not require over 100 ft. lot.... After a great deal of wrangling we adjourn until tomorrow." Ref. Charles James Madison Eaton, Baltimore, to GP, March 21 and 26, 1857, Peabody Papers, PEM, Salem, Mass. Ref. Kennedy's journal, op cit., entry Thurs., April 23, 1857, Kennedy Papers, PIB.
Eaton, C.J.M. 12-Building Site Differences Cont'd. GP was on his southern tour when on March 7, 1857, in the presence of Charleston, S.C.'s, mayor, he signed and returned the PIB letter of deed which Eaton had sent him. Returning to Baltimore, GP went with Kennedy to see possible PIB building sites, which included 1-the city-owned reservoir lot, 2-Loyola College property, and 3-a corner lot at Mt. Vernon and Washington Place. Kennedy's journal (May 12, 1857): "Peabody arrives here today. He sends for me and we have a good deal of conversation in reference to the proceedings of the Board of Trustees. The difficulties are in the selection of a site. We visit the several lots spoken of. He is greatly pleased with the lot at the corner of Mt. Vernon and Washington Place... The whole would cost upwards of $100,000." Ref.: (GP returned signed PIB letter of deed): GP, Charleston, S.C., to William Edwards Mayhew, March 7, 1857, PIB Archives.
Eaton-Kennedy Differences
Eaton, C.J.M. 13-Building Site Differences Cont'd. Kennedy quoted GP's concern over trustee differences: "You know, my letter inculcates harmony of action, and I want you all to be satisfied." GP also said: "They talk of making the building a monument to me. I do not want a monument. The monument will be in the usefulness of the Institute." Kennedy's journal continued to show disagreement with Eaton. Kennedy recorded the May 16, 1857, trustees' decision to purchase the Howard lot, Charles St. and Mt. Vernon Place, the PIB's present location. Kennedy wrote (May 16, 1857): "Eaton has gone to work to reverse the decision of Thursday and to my utter astonishment succeeds. He represents Mr. Peabody as discontented with our decision for the college lot--that is to say disappointed." Ref. Kennedy's journal, op cit., entries May 12 and 16, 1857, Kennedy Papers, PIB.
Eaton, C.J.M. 14-Building Site Differences Cont'd. Kennedy thought the Mt. Vernon Place lot too expensive. He deplored Eaton's talk of hiring out halls and having shops on the first floor of the PIB as "quite incompetent," "not in keeping with Peabody's wish," and a "frivolous" [view ] "of mere ostentation." Kennedy was disappointed but would not argue about the PIB trustees' decision on the Howard lot. Kennedy wrote in his journal: "I fear this [decision]--and as the Board seems to be quite impracticable I shall give myself but little trouble about it. It is very difficult to infuse into the gentlemen any real appreciation of what they might accomplish with this munificent donation towards the highest culture of the community in such pursuits as are contemplated in the scheme disclosed in the [Feb. 12, 1857, founding] letter." Ref. Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 15-Eaton-Kennedy at Odds. Eaton, an art collector, wrote GP his thought that Kennedy wished to emphasize the library. Eaton wanted to emphasize equally the library, lectures, art gallery, music academy, prizes to best Baltimore scholars--all under the cooperative direction of the PIB trustees and the Md. Historical Society trustees, with the latter in rooms in the PIB. Kennedy confined his doubts to his journal. Eaton, not above slander, wrote to GP that a "disappointed politician makes an irritable trustee," and again: "There are more personalities mixed up in this stuff unworthy to be put on paper, but exhibition of human weakness is better to laugh at than to make of consequence." Of Kennedy's planned trip to Europe in mid-Aug. 1857, Eaton wrote GP: "I understand that Mr. Kennedy will embark on the 15th August which gives me more satisfaction than pain. If he carries his peculiarities into English society he will not enjoy himself as much as he should." Ref. Charles James Madison Eaton to GP, July 4, 9, 17, and Aug. 7, 1857, Peabody Papers, PEM, Salem, Mass.
Eaton, C.J.M. 16-PIB Clash Seen by Kennedy Biographer. Kennedy’s biographer, Charles H. Bohner, thus characterized the early PIB clash: “Forced by petty jealousy and snobbery to compromise, he [Kennedy] decided to resign but Peabody persuaded him to continue.” Bohner added: “Peabody, on his part, found that philanthropy embroiled him in the bickering of men who grew officious when invited to spend his money.” Kennedy persisted, serving as elected PIB board of trustees president (1860 to his death in 1870), weathering two storms that threatened to end the grand PIB experiment: 1-the Panic of 1857 and 2-a near fatal clash between PIB and Md. Historical Society trustees over which would rule. Ref. Bohner, p. 215. See: Kennedy, John Pendleton. See PIB. 17-GP's Influence Through the PIB.
GP & Art in Philadelphia
Eaton, C.J.M. 17-GP in Philadelphia (on Art). GP was in Philadelphia Jan. 10-18, 1857, partly to sit for a portrait in artist James Read Lambdin's (1807-89) studio, partly to see his 21-year-old niece Julia Adelaide Peabody (b. April 25, 1835), daughter of GP's deceased oldest brother David Peabody (1790-1841) and his second wife. Niece Julia was in school in Philadelphia at uncle GP's expense. C.J.M. Eaton, keen on art, was also with GP and niece Julia in Philadelphia. Artist Lambdin was also director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Wanting to ask GP for a donation, Lambdin took the group to visit the art gallery. GP preferred to wait for them on a bench in the academy. Ref.: James Read Lambdin's unpublished manuscript dated 1869, intended for publication in the Chronicle (Germantown, Penn.), founded by grandson John Oldmixon Lambdin, and quoted in Baltimore Sun, Nov. 1, 1915, p. 7, c. 5.
Eaton, C.J.M. 18-GP in Philadelphia (on Art). Years after GP's death (Nov. 4, 1869), Lambdin recorded GP as saying on that occasion, "I do not feel much interested in such matters. You may be surprised when I tell you that, although I have lived for twenty years within pistol shot of the Royal Academy and the National Gallery in London, I have never been within their walls." Lambdin later commented in his manuscript: "Such was the personal appreciation by this good man of those arts, the value of which he has since acknowledged by his princely gifts to the institution bearing his name. I need not say that after this confession the subject nearest to my heart was left unmentioned." Ref.: Ibid.
GP & the Panic of 1857
Eaton, C.J.M. 19-Panic of 1857. Leaving NYC, Sept. 19, 1857, GP faced the Panic of 1857 in London. Pressed to pay outstanding bills and unable to collect what was owed to him by Boston's Lawrence, Stone & Co., GP applied to borrow £300,000 ($1.5 million) from the Bank of England. He soon repaid the amount borrowed and emerged practically unscathed. C.J.M. Eaton, writing GP of panic conditions in Baltimore, added that the PIB plans were on hold, that the trustees would not ask for money during the crisis. William Edwards Mayhew confirmed Eaton's view by writing GP: "The Trustees of the Institute have all been very willing to progress slowly and surely during the last three months and will do nothing more than attend to preparatory measures that will require no funds for months to come. They will not think of drawing for one dollar until they know that it will be agreeable to and convenient for you." Ref.: Charles James Madison Eaton, Baltimore, to GP, London, Dec. 11, 1857; and William Edward Mayhew, Baltimore, to GP, Dec. 12, 1857; both Peabody Papers, PEM, Salem, Mass.
Eaton, C.J.M. 20-Panic of 1857 Cont'd. Eaton informed GP that the PIB trustees had secured a charter of incorporation, March 9, 1858. Building construction began in 1858. The building was planned by British born architect practicing in Baltimore Edmund George Lind (1828-1909). The plan called for a white marble building in grand Renaissance style, 150 feet long by 75 feet wide. Mentioning a small controversy over the material to be used for the exterior of the building, Eaton wrote GP July 5, 1858: "There has been some bad spirit shown by two or three of the [Md.] Historical Society" members. But he hoped the misunderstandings would end in concord. He had heard it said that if difficulties did continue the Society members would "wait until the committee reports on the organization of the institute and then decline [to enter] if all things are not satisfactory." Ref.: Charles James Madison Eaton, Baltimore, to GP, London, July 5, 1858, Peabody Papers, PEM, Salem, Mass.
Eaton, C.J.M. 21-Panic of 1857 Cont'd. W.E. Mayhew also reported to GP on Nov. 11, 1858, that J.P. Kennedy had returned from Europe, met with the PIB trustees, and spoken of GP with respect and kindness; and that Kennedy would give the address when the Baltimore high school medals and prizes were to be conferred. Ref.: William Edwards Mayhew, Baltimore, to GP, Nov. 11, 1858, Peabody Papers, PEM, Salem, Mass.
PIB Cornerstone, April 16, 1859
Eaton, C.J.M. 22-PIB Cornerstone, April 16, 1859. While GP in London talked to friends about his proposed gift to the city of London, Eaton on May 7, 1859, wrote him that the PIB building was being constructed. Placed in the cornerstone on April 16, 1859, were the following 11 items: 1-copies of Hunt's Merchants' Magazine, Vol. 36, No. 4 (April 1857), pp. 428-437, containing the GP biographical sketch and GP engraving by John Charles Buttre (1821-93) from a daguerreotype. 2-Proceedings at the Reception and Dinner in Honor of George Peabody, Esq., of London, by the Citizens of the Old Town of Danvers, October 9, 1856 (Boston: H.W. Dutton & Son, 1856). Ref.: (Placed in PIB cornerstone, April 16, 1859): Scharf-a, p. 568. Uhler-f, p. 62.
Eaton, C.J.M. 23-PIB Cornerstone, April 16, 1859 Cont'd. 3-some gold and silver coins. 4-Baltimore public school reports. 5-Md. Institute reports. 6-Md. Historical Society reports. 7-B&O RR reports. 8-Baltimore Board of Trade reports. 9-Baltimore city government reports. 10-that day's Baltimore newspapers. 11-and a piece of the Atlantic Cable. Ref.: Ibid.
PIB-MHS Trustees Clash
Eaton, C.J.M. 24-Which Set of Trustees Dominate? On May 18, 1859, William Edwards Mayhew wrote GP of apprehension about the exact role the Md. Historical Society would play in the PIB, about which set of trustees, PIB or Md. Historical Society, would exert ultimate control. Eaton, believing GP intended for the PIB trustees to have the final say, expressed his thought that if the Society wished to withdraw it would be best to let them go, and that GP could placate them with a contribution to their publication fund. Eaton wrote GP (June 20, 1859): "The Society I feel persuaded would jump at the donation." Ref.: William Edwards Mayhew, Baltimore, to GP, May 8, 1859, Peabody Papers, PEM, Salem, Mass.
Eaton, C.J.M. 25-GP Asked for "harmony and trust." Seven years later, the matter fell the way Eaton predicted. GP, an ocean's distance away, often ill, and with business problems, drafted the following to Eaton: "I am a great lover of harmony and trust it will be preserved.... If there should be dissensions, do not write me anything about them." But GP did not send this draft to Eaton. However irritating it might be, it was prudent to know of PIB progress and difficulties from Eaton, Mayhew, Kennedy, and others. As the Civil War raged, GP reluctantly agreed with the trustees to postpone the PIB opening. Ref.: Charles James Madison Eaton, Baltimore, to GP, London, March 7, April 25, May 9 and 19, June 20, 1859; and GP to Charles James Madison Eaton, Aug. 24, 1859; Peabody Papers, PEM, Salem, Mass.
Eaton, C.J.M. 26-PIB-MHS Clash. The Civil War ended. GP prepared for a year's U.S. visit (May 1, 1866-May 1, 1867). He wanted to resolve the PIB-Md. Historical Society dispute and to dedicate and open the PIB. The climax came in the PIB trustees' Feb. 12, 1866, letter asking the Md. Historical Society trustees to decline to enter the PIB as outlined in GP's Feb. 12, 1857, founding letter (GP in London received a copy of this letter). A Md. Historical Society committee reviewed that letter, issued a response (April 5, 1866) that strongly denounced the PIB trustees' withdrawal request, and recommended legal action to settle the dispute (copy to GP). Ref. Md. Historical Society-a.
MHSLawsuit Threatened
Eaton, C.J.M. 27-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. The Md. Historical Society's review began: "The Society accepted the terms of Mr. Peabody's founding letter after it was explained by Mr. Kennedy who helped Mr. Peabody draw it up. Mr. Kennedy explained to the Society that it was Mr. Peabody's desire for the Society to assume charge of the Institute, that its trustees had been appointed only in the event that the Society should cease to exist, that the Trustees had visitorial power while the administration of the Institute lay with the Society." Ref. Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 28-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. The Society's review then mentioned the PIB's March 4, 1857 trust deed: "In his trust deed Mr. Peabody stated that should there be a failure of the Maryland Historical Society to undertake the supervision of the Institute, he empowered the Institute Trustees to make other arrangements. This clause simply provided for an emergency. This Society never contrived or intended to place difficulties in the execution of the original founding letter." Ref. Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 29-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. (Md. Hist. Soc.'s review): "The Institute was incorporated by the Maryland Legislature. The trustees purchased land and erected a building after consultation with the Society as to the rooms it would occupy. In January, 1860, a plan of organization was drawn up by the trustees verifying that the Society would be invited to enter the building when completed. The Society also adopted this plan." Ref.: Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 30-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. (Md. Hist. Soc.'s review): "The building was completed four years ago but the Society was never asked to enter it. After patient waiting the Society appointed a committee to confer with the trustees. This committee reviewed the subject in January, 1866, and asked by letter the right to occupy the portion previously assigned to it." Ref. Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 31-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. The Md. Historical Society's review then quoted the PIB trustees' Feb. 12, 1866, letter asking the Society not to enter the PIB: "We [the PIB trustees] have come to the conclusion for reasons which we think deeply founded in the welfare of the Institute, that the management of its several departments by your body, which was instituted for an entirely different end, will not be productive of the objects which the munificent founder of the Institute had in view." Ref.: Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 32-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. Having been asked to withdraw, the Md. Historical Society calmly considered the rebuff: "The chief reason [given for the PIB trustees' withdrawal request] was that the administration of the Institute should be limited to fewer individuals than this Society had, that membership in the Society was easy of access, that the result might be conflict, hasty and unconsidered change. This reason we consider an inaccurate one. The trustees virtually tell us they cannot trust this Society of which many of them and Mr. Peabody are members, of which their President is our Vice-President." Ref.: Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 33-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. The Society's review rejected the PIB trustees' chief reason for the Society's withdrawal as illegal: "This committee does not take heed of the chief reason ascribed for our rejection. Nor do we think it honorable to infer that the trustees or Mr. Peabody's private opinion suggesting our withdrawal makes that withdrawal obligatory. The Institute is not private but legally incorporated. By illegal and indirect means the trustees desire our withdrawal. We need not defend this Society. Our history needs no vindication. We are the same Society of 1866 as we were in 1857, save for the normal entry of new and younger members in recent years." Ref.: Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 34-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. (Md. Hist. Soc.'s review): "The last reason brought forth for our withdrawal is that the library of the Institute requires the rooms formerly allotted to the Society. After nine years' planning the trustees now discover they need more room for the library and give this as a reason for our withdrawal. It must occur to Mr. Peabody that if his trustees took nine years to develop the architectural plan and then found they were in error in the amount of space required for the library, they might never understand and carry out the educational ideas he envisaged." Ref.: Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 35-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. (Md. Hist. Soc.'s review): "We have been denounced to Mr. Peabody by the trustees. In nine years they have built a hollow, inadequate house, with a vacant lecture room to which the public has not been admitted, a library dark and gloomy with cases three-fourths empty to which no reader had been allowed. For four years this building has stood as a marble tomb of broken promises." Ref.: Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 36-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. (Md. Hist. Soc.'s review): The Society's review concluded: "The [PIB] trustees hint that they might suggest to Mr. Peabody that he grant our Society a donation contingent on our withdrawal. This is a crass suggestion. In conclusion, this committee recommends that the Society institute legal proceedings. We recommend that this and previous reports be sent to Mr. Peabody to apprise him of these facts." Ref.: Ibid.
PIB-MHS Reconciliation
Eaton, C.J.M. 37-PIB-MHS Clash Cont'd. GP saw that the Md. Historical Society was in the right, that it would win a legal decision, and that he had to act to soften this dispute. Anticipating that the Md. Historical Society would be asked to withdraw, John Pendleton Kennedy wrote in his journal: "I am myself responsible for Mr. Peabody's committing the Institute to the Society but this was done at a time when the Society nobly showed some appreciation of its object...." Ref.: Kennedy's journal, VIIo (Nov. 29, 1864-Sept. 21, 1869), pp. 185f., entry Friday, June 16, 1865, Kennedy Papers, PIB.
Eaton, C.J.M. 38-GP's Appeal. Kennedy helped draft GP's May 8, 1866, letter to the Md. Historical Society. GP acknowledged the moral and legal right of the Society. He admitted the wrong done the Society by the PIB trustees. GP said that one purpose of his U.S. visit was to see the PIB safely opened and that its opening depended on the Society's forbearance and good will. Noting the insurmountable difference, he humbly asked Society members as a personal favor to him to withdraw from the original agreement. Ref.: Peabody Institute of Baltimore, Founder's Letters, pp. 40-41.
MHS-PIB Animosity Softened
Eaton, C.J.M. 39-GP's Character Softened Animosity. GP's character cut through painful animosity built up over nine years. Md. Historical Society members decided at a May 24, 1866, meeting to relinquish the PIB role GP had originally assigned them. GP waited until Nov. 5, 1866, to thank Md. Historical Society members personally and asked to be allowed the privilege of contributing $20,000 to their publications fund. Ref.: (GP's $20,000 Md. Historical Society publication fund): Harris, p. 18.
Eaton, C.J.M. 40-GP's Gifts, Sept.-Oct. 1866. GP's philanthropy during Sept.-Oct., 1866, included 1-added $100,000 to the Peabody Institute Library of South Danvers (renamed Peabody, Mass., April 13, 1868, total $217,000), 2-added $40,000 to the Peabody Institute Library, North Danvers, Mass. (total $l00,000, both gifts on Sept. 22, 1866), 3-Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard Univ., Oct. 8, 1866, and 4-Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale Univ., Oct. 22, 1866, $150,000 each. GP then traveled to Baltimore to dedicate and open the PIB (Oct. 25 and 26, 1866).
PIB Dedication & Opening
Eaton, C.J.M. 41-En Route to Baltimore. GP left NYC Oct. 22, 1866, for Baltimore. He stopped in Philadelphia where, on Oct. 23, some PIB trustees met him and described PIB dedication arrangements. On Wednesday morning, Oct. 24, in a special railway car arranged by B&O RR Pres. John Work Garrett (1820-84), GP and guests left Philadelphia on the Philadelphia & Wilmington RR, with a brief stop at Havre-de-Grace near the Susquehanna River. There George Nathaniel Eaton (1811-74), Enoch Pratt (1808-96), George Washington Dobbin (1809-91), and other trustees boarded to escort GP and guests. Ref.: (Train arrangements): GP, Philadelphia, to John Work Garrett, Oct. 23, 1866, Garrett Papers, Library of Congress Ms. See: persons named.
Eaton, C.J.M. 42-Arrival in Baltimore. With GP, met in Baltimore by Mayor John Lee Chapman (1812-80) and city council members, were Charles Macalester (1798-1873) of Philadelphia, Capt. Charles H.E. Judkins of the Scotia, GP's nephew George Peabody Russell (1835-1909) and wife, nephew Othniel Charles Marsh (1831-99), and George Peabody Wetmore (1846-1921) of Newport, R.I. (later R.I. governor); and some PIB trustees. They went by carriage to Barnum's City Hotel where the visitors were guests of the city. GP had lived at Barnum's from its opening until his departure for London in Feb. 1837. Ref.: Baltimore Sun, Oct. 23, 1866, p. 4, c. 2; Oct. 24, 1866; Oct. 26, 1866, p. 5, c. 1-2. See persons named.
Eaton, C.J.M. 43-GP Attacked as Anti-Union. The Oct. 25, 1866, PIB dedication and opening were marred by press attacks alleging GP as pro-Confederate and anti-Union in the Civil War. GP defenders vigorously answered each attack. His PIB dedication speech was largely taken up answering these charges. See: Civil War and GP.
Eaton, C.J.M. 44-PIB Academy of Music's First Director. C.J.M. Eaton helped secure Copenhagen-born Asger Hamerik (1843-1923) as PIB Academy of Music's first director. Eaton wrote to ask the help of U.S. Consul Dietrich Fehrman in Vienna, Austria. Consul Fehrman's advertisement in a European music journal brought letters of interest from Hamerik and others. Born into a musical family on his mother's side, Hamerik studied and performed under various music masters in London and Berlin (1862-64); in Paris (1864), where he was the only pupil of famed French composer Hector Berlioz (1803-69); in Stockholm; and in Milan and Vienna. See PIB Conservatory of Music.
Eaton, C.J.M. 45-Asger Hamerik. Despite unease about Hamerik's limited English and shyness, he was appointed and became a long-tenured director of the PIB Academy (Conservatory after 1874) of Music, during July 11, 1871-1898, or for 27 years. Hamerik enhanced the PIB Academy of Music's reputation. He raised admission standards, emphasized American composers' works in concerts, improved the music curriculum, and raised graduate requirements. Ref. Ibid.
Eaton, C.J.M. 46-Eaton's Art Collection. In 1893, the year C.J.M. Eaton died, he gave his considerable art collection to the PIB Gallery of Art. This collection consisted of 81 paintings, 62 watercolors, drawings, miniature portraits, porcelain, and bronzes by French-born artist-sculptor Christophe Fratin (1800-64). Thus ended C.J.M. Eaton's long connection with the PIB, over 36 years. He was present at the creation, he was responsible for its location on Mt. Vernon Place, and helped nurture its development during its early great years. Eaton's nieces also presented to the PIB Gallery of Art the considerable art collection of Baltimore merchant Robert Gilmore, Jr. (1774-1848), which their uncle had purchased to prevent its sale to buyers outside of Baltimore. See: PIB. PIB Gallery of Art. Persons named.
Eaton, C.J.M. 47-GP's Portrait by Chester Harding. Artist Chester Harding's (1792-1866) portrait of GP was donated to the Md. Historical Society, Baltimore, by Mrs. Charles R. Weld (née Frances Eaton, died March 13, 1947), niece of C.J.M Eaton (daughter of his brother George Nathaniel Eaton, one of 16 original PEF trustees, see immediately below). This GP portrait is reproduced in "Baltimore's 150th Birthday," Maryland History Notes, Vol. 5, No. 3 (Nov. 1947), pp. 1-2. Under GP's portrait on p. 1 is printed, "Painted during the early years of his maturity," probably in GP's early thirties. It is an oil painting on canvas, 30" x 25," in an oval frame. Ref. Ibid.
Eaton, George Nathaniel (1811-74), brother of Charles James Madison Eaton (see immediately above), was one of the 16 original PEF trustees.
John Eaton With GP, W. Va., 1869
Eaton, John (1829-1906). 1-Career. U.S. Educator John Eaton was born in Sutton, N.H., attended Thetford Academy, Vt.; graduated from Dartmouth College (1854); was school principal, Ward School, Cleveland, Ohio (1854-56); was superintendent of schools, Toledo, Ohio (1856-59); attended Andover Theological Seminary (1859); was ordained a minister (Sept. 1861); was a Civil War chaplain with the 27th Ohio Regiment (from Aug. 15, 1861); was chosen Nov. 1862 by Gen. U.S. Grant to administer runaway slaves; was promoted to Col. in charge of the 63rd U.S. Colored Regiment; was superintendent of freedmen in Miss., northern La., Ark., and west Tenn.(to May 1865); and was brevetted Brig. Gen. (March 1865). Ref.: Boatner, p. 259 (who stated, "The Freedmen's Bureau was later modeled on his plan"). See: Freedmen's Bureau. PEF. Sears, Barnas.
Eaton, John. 2-Described GP, W.Va., July 23-Aug. 30, 1869. He was later editor of the Memphis Post (Tenn., 1866-67); and won election as Tenn.'s superintendent of public instruction (1867-69). In this last role he was with GP and Robert E. Lee at White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., July 23-Aug. 30, 1869, and wrote of GP's visit in his annual report. He was a Board of Visitors member, U.S. Military Academy, West Point (1869); was the second Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Education (1870-86); was president of Marietta College, Ohio (1886-91); president of Sheldon Jackson College, Salt Lake City, Utah (1895-99); and that year was commissioned to establish the Puerto Rico public school system (1898). For John Eaton's description of GP at White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., July 23-Aug. 30, 1869, names of participating prominent leaders, and sources, including historic W.Va. photos taken Aug. 12, 1869, see Corcoran, William Wilson. Confederate Generals. Peabody, George, Illustrations. Persons named. Visits to the U.S. by GP. White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
GP Gravely ill at Lampson's London Home
Eaton Square, No. 80, London. 1-C.M. Lampson's London Home. It was to Sir Curtis Miranda Lampson's (1806-85) London home, 80 Eaton Square, that a gravely ill GP went on arrival in London (Oct. 9, 1869) from his last U.S. visit. Lampson was born in Vt., became wealthy in the fur trade, settled in Britain in 1830, accepted a British title, and lived the life of a British gentleman. He was, along with GP, a director of the Atlantic Cable Co. and a trustee of the Peabody Donation Fund to build and manage apartments for London's working poor. See: Lampson, Curtis Miranda.
Eaton Square, No. 80, London. 2-Last Illness and Death. GP died there Nov. 4, 1869. Lampson helped coordinate GP's funeral service and temporary burial in Westminster Abbey, transfer of GP's remains from the Abbey to Portsmouth, England, and transatlantic transfer on HMS Monarch, accompanied by USS Plymouth, to Portland, Maine, for burial in Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, Mass., Feb. 8, 1870. See: Death and funeral, GP's.
GP's 1852 Education Motto
"Education: a debt due from present to future generations." 1-First Use: First Peabody Institute Library (1852), now in Peabody, Mass. On June 16, 1852, Danvers, Mass., celebrated the centennial of its separation from Salem, Mass. Letters extolling the importance of that day were read aloud were from prominent Mass. figures: Robert Charles Winthrop (1809-94), Daniel Webster (1782-1852), Edward Everett (1794-1865), Rufus Choate (1799-1859), and others, including GP. Invited to participate but unable to leave London, GP sent a letter from London dated May 26, 1852, read aloud to those assembled by his boyhood classmate John Waters Proctor (1791-1874). See: persons named.
"Education: a debt due… 2-GP's Philanthropic Motto. GP's letter announced his gift of $20,000 (first of a total of $217,600) for his first Peabody Institute Library in South Danvers (renamed Peabody on April 13, 1868). With GP's letter and first gift was a slip of paper containing his motto: "By George Peabody, of London: Education--a debt due from present to future generations." No earlier source for this motto has been found. How GP first came to use it is not known. Ibid.. See: Proctor, Sylvester.
"Education: a debt due… 3-Where GP's Motto is Used. Besides all of GP's institutes which have prominently used his 1852 "Education" motto in their publications, it has most recently appeared in an 1-internet entry for the museums of Western Australia; 2-is cited in an "Endowments" web page from the Director of Development, College of Natural Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.; and 3-is used by a fund-raising group (The Order of Golden Shillelagh), Univ. of Missouri-Rolla. … Ref.: 1-(Australia): Internet: "Education: a debt due from present to future generations." (seen 4-12-01): http://www.cultureandarts.wa.gov.au/cainwa/museums.asp 2-(Colorado): http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/NatSci/html/Endowment.html (seen 8-23-01). 3-(Univ. of Missouri-Rollo): http://www.umr.edu/%7Edevelop/ogs/ (seen 10-22-01) See: end of Ref.: g. Internet (World Wide Webb).
Henry Adams on Benjamin Moran
Education of Henry Adams, by Henry [Brooks] Adams (1838-1918). 1-Secty. to his Father. Henry [Brooks] Adam was private secretary to his father, U.S. Minister to Britain Charles Francis Adams (1807-86, minister during 1861-68). In this book Henry Adams described his contacts in London in the 1860s. These included important Britons and visiting and resident Americans, such as GP, Joshua Bates (1788-1864), Junius Spencer Morgan (1813-90), and others. See: Adams, Henry Brooks.
Education of Henry Adams. 2-On U.S. Legation in London Secty. Benjamin Moran. Henry [Brooks] Adams' book, Henry Adams and His Friends, A Collection of His Unpublished Letters, comp. by Harold Dean Cater (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1947), p. xxxiv, has a description of U.S. Legation in London Secty. Benjamin Moran (1820-86), often critical of GP in his private journal. Adams wrote: "On the staff of the American Legation in London was Benjamin Moran, an assistant secretary. He was a man of long experience at the Legation and one who became a sort of dependable workhorse to fill in for any duty that might come up from the changing personnel. He had an exaggerated notion of his importance; he was sensitive to flattery, and easily offended. He kept an extensive diary and while it must be read from the point of view of his character, it throws an interesting light on the Legation scene." Ref. Ibid.
Education, U.S. southern. See: PEF. Sears, Barnas. Winthrop, Robert Charles.
Edward VII (1841-1910), eldest son of Queen Victoria (1819-1901), was king of England during 1901-10. It was as Prince of Wales that he unveiled GP's seated statue by U.S. sculptor William Wetmore Story (1819-95), on Threadneedle St., near London's Royal Exchange, July 23, 1869. He eulogized GP, praised W.W. Story, and referred to U.S. Minister to Britain John Lothrop Motley (1814-77) in terms of U.S.-British friendship. Story and Motley, both present, also spoke. GP's statue in London was the first of four statues of Americans in that city: GP, 1869; Abraham Lincoln, 1920; George Washington, 1921; and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1948. A copy of GP's seated statue in London was placed in front of the PIB, April 7, 1890, by Robert Garrett (1847-96). See: Statues of GP.
Egyptian Room, Guildhall, London, was the large room where the Lord Mayor of London's dinner was given to honor GP following the conferral ceremony of the Freedom of the City of London, July 10, 1862. See: London, Freedom of the City of London.
Eisenhower, Dwight David (1890-1969). For details and source of the six Americans offered and the five who received the Freedom of the City of London (Andrew Stevenson [declined], GP, U.S Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Gen. J.J. Pershing, and Dwight David Eisenhower), see London, Freedom of the City of London, and GP. Persons named.
Electric light bulb and GP See: Starr, John Wellington.
Eliot, Charles William (1834-1926), graduated from Harvard Univ. (1853), where he taught mathematics (1854-58), taught mathematics and chemistry (1858-63), and was president (1868-1909) when he attended GP's final funeral service and burial, Peabody, Mass., Feb. 8, 1870. See: Death and funeral, GP's.
Elizabeth, Queen Mother (1900-). On July 11, 1962, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, unveiled a plaque at the then new Peabody Estate in Blackfriars, London, celebrating the centenary of the GP Donation Fund, founded March 12, 1862 (total gift $2.5 million), which built and managed low-rent apartments for London's working poor. For details and sources, including speech by the then Joint Parliamentary Secty., Ministry of Housing, Earl Jellicoe (George Patrick John Rushworth Jellicoe [1918-], second Earl of Jellicoe), see Peabody Homes of London.
Queen Victoria's Son Prince Arthur at GP’s Funeral Service
Elphinestone, Howard Cawfurd (1829-90) 1-Prince Arthur's Military Aide. Lt. Col. Howard Cawfurd Elphinestone was a military aide to Queen Victoria's son Prince Arthur (William Patrick Albert Arthur, 1850-1942, Duke of Connaught). Prince Arthur was on a Canadian tour in mid-Nov. 1869, when British Ambassador to the U.S. Sir Edward Thornton (1817-1906) received Queen Victoria's approval for Prince Arthur to visit in the U.S. Prince Arthur left Montreal, Canada, on Jan. 20, 1870, went to Washington, D.C., where he met Pres. U.S. Grant, and was in NYC on Jan. 29, 1870. See: Death and Funeral, GP's. Victoria, Queen.
Elphinestone, H.C. 2-Attend GP's Funeral. A Jan. 27 letter from his attendant, Lt. Col. H.C. Elphinestone, to Queen Victoria's advisor in England, contained the first mention of Prince Arthur's possible attendance at GP's funeral: "Should Mr. Peabody's funeral take place soon after that, Col. Elphinestone thought it would be a gracious act on the part of the Prince to attend." Prince Arthur left NYC on Feb. 5, 1870, for Boston and left Boston on Feb. 8 for Peabody, Mass., where his attendance at GP's funeral attracted wide favorable press coverage. Ref. Ibid. (Elphinestone): [Elphinestone, Howard Cawfurd].
GP and Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson, Ralph Waldo (1803-82). 1-GP Contact Via Delia Salter Bacon. U.S. essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson had three indirect contacts with GP. One involved eccentric Delia Salter Bacon (1811-59), whose theory was that William Shakespeare's plays were written by Francis Bacon (1561-1626), Sir Walter Raleigh (1554-1618), and Edmund Spenser (1552-99). She appealed for support from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Carlyle (1795-81), and Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-64). They gave her courteous aid but no endorsement. In London she presented a letter of introduction to GP from NYC banker Charles Butler (1802-97). GP may have done some banking services for her. See: Bacon, Delia Salter.
Emerson, R.W. 2-Four Lectures at the PIB, 1872. On April 19, 1871, PIB Provost Nathaniel Holmes Morison (1815-90) invited R.W. Emerson to lecture at the PIB. His four topics and dates in 1872 were: 1-"Imagination and Poetry," Jan. 2; 2-"Resources and Inspiration," Jan. 4; 3-"Homes and Hospitality," Jan. 9; and 4-"Art and Nature," Jan. 11. Emerson had previously visited Baltimore in April 1827 on his return from St. Augustine, Fla. He gave two lectures at Baltimore's Mercantile Library Association in Jan. 1843 and again under the same auspices in Jan. 1859. Ref.: Peabody Institute Library, Baltimore. Mr. Emerson....
Emerson, R.W. 3-Four Lectures at the PIB, 1872, Cont'd. In 1872 Emerson was age 68 and was described as having long white hair and being dressed in "a meticulous old fashioned black suit of an earlier day." He left Boston for the 17 hour train trip to Baltimore but forgot the name of the hotel his daughter Edith had given him. After questioning the conductor, he decided to stay at Barnum's near the Battle Monument (GP had also stayed at Barnum when he worked in and later visited Baltimore, 1856-57, 1866-67, and 1869). Ref.: Ibid.
Emerson, R.W. 4-Four Lectures at the PIB, 1872 Cont'd. Of Emerson's first lecture, "Imagination and Poetry," Jan. 2, 1872, Baltimore American reporter wrote condescendingly: "The profoundest thinker in America read a lecture [at the PIB] last evening to an audience...in part...who faintly comprehended the argument and in part...who only saw the beauty of the words." On Emerson's second talk, "Resources and Inspiration," Jan. 4, a Baltimore Gazette reporter concluded: "The lecture in general was highly interesting, and listened to with the closest attention." Ref.: Ibid.
Emerson, R.W. 5-Four Lectures at the PIB, 1872 Cont'd. At this second Jan. 4 lecture Emerson saw in the audience and later talked to poet Walt Whitman (1819-92) and naturalist John Burroughs (1837-1921). Emerson's third lecture, Jan. 9, was again well attended. Of his last "Art and Nature" lecture, Jan. 11, a Baltimore Sun reporter concluded: [The audience listened] "attentively to Mr. Emerson as one who has attained to so great a degree of celebrity, and to be able to say that they have heard him." Ref. Ibid.
GP & Selling Md.'s Bonds Abroad
Emory, Thomas (active 1810-37). 1-Md.'s $8 Million Bond Sale Abroad. Thomas Emory (believed to have lived in Poplar Grove, Md.) was one of three commissioners appointed by Md. Act of 1835 to sell its $8 million bond issue abroad for internal improvements. When commissioner Samuel Jones, Jr. (1800-74), resigned early to become a state senator, he backed GP to replace him. Despite opposition in the Md. legislature, GP was appointed commissioner. GP and the other two commissioners, John Buchanan (1772-1844) and Thomas Emory, amid the Panic of 1837, failed to sell the bonds in London, Paris, and Amsterdam. The other two agents returned to the U.S. by Oct. 8, 1837. GP remained in London for the rest of his life (1837-69), 32 years, except for three U.S. visits (Sept. 15, 1856-Aug. 19, 1857, May 1, 1866-May 1, 1867, and June 8-Sept. 29, 1869). See: Md.'s $8 Million Bond Sale Abroad, and GP.
Emory, Thomas. 2-GP Sold Md. Bonds Against all Odds. The Panic of 1837 and an economic depression that followed for a few years hindered GP's sale of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Co. portion of Md.'s $8 million in bonds. Worse still, the depression induced Md. and eight other states to stop their bond interest payments in part or whole. GP finally approached his major competitor, Baring Brothers, Britain's largest banking firm, and sold them the bonds cheaply for exclusive resale. Not wanting to burden economically depressed Md., GP never applied for and ultimately declined the $60,000 commission due him. Ref.: Ibid.
Emory, Thomas. 3-Md.'s Resolution of Praise for GP. When Md. recovered economically and resumed its bond interest payments (1847), GP was in transition from London-based dry goods and other merchandise dealer to broker-banker in U.S. securities. The Md. governor's 1847 annual report to the legislative Assembly singled out GP "who never claimed or received one dollar of the $60,000 commission due him...whilst the State was struggling with her pecuniary difficulties." Ref.: Ibid.
Emory, Thomas. 4-Md.'s Resolution of Praise for GP Cont'd. On March 7, 1848, both houses of Md.'s Assembly passed a unanimous resolution of praise to GP, sent to him in London, with Gov. Philip Francis Thomas' (1810-90) accompanying comment: "To you, Sir,...the thanks of the State were eminently due." GP's earlier letters assuring European purchasers that Md. would resume interest payments, and retroactively, along with Md.'s resolution of praise, were widely printed. It took ten years for GP's efforts to sell Md. bonds to be fully appreciated. Ref.: Ibid.
Emory, Thomas. 5-Career. The only Thomas Emory listed in Md. State Archives, Annapolis, Md., records was a member of the Governor's Council, 1822, 1823, and 1824; member of the House of Delegates, Queen Anne's County, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, and 1814; member of the House of Delegates, Special Session, Queen Anne's County, 1812 and 1813; member of Senate, Eastern Shore, 1825, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, and 1835; and member of the Senate, Special Session, Eastern Shore, 1836. Ref.: Md. State Archives, Annapolis, Md., biographical file for Thomas Emory MSA SC 3520-13051.
Endicott, William Crowninshield (1826-1900), was a Mass. judge; president of the Peabody Academy of Science, Salem, Mass.; and a PEF trustee. He was succeeded as PEF trustee by Richard Olney (1835-1917), also a prominent lawyer and statesman from Mass. Ref.: Curry-b, p. 103.
Engraver-Artists. See: Peabody, George, Engraver-artists. Peabody, George, Illustrations of.
Enniskillen, Ireland. For GP's visits to Belfast, Ireland, near British statesman James Emerson Tennent's (1791-1869) home at Tempo Manor, Enniskillen, Ireland, see James Emerson Tennent.
Enoch Pratt Free Public Library, Baltimore. For GP's connection , see PIB. Enoch Pratt.
Erebus (ship). In May 1845 British Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin (1786-1847) sailed on his second Arctic exploration and was never seen alive again. Some 40 international searches were made for the missing explorer (1845-50s), his two ships the Erebus and the Terror, and their crew of 137 seamen. GP contributed $10,000 for scientific equipment to the Second U.S. Grinnell Expedition, 1853-55, in its unsuccessful search for Sir John Franklin. U.S. Navy Capt. Elisha Kent Kane (1820-57), commanding the Second U.S. Grinnell Expedition, named Peabody Bay off Greenland for GP's monetary contribution to this first U.S. effort in Arctic exploration. See: Henry, Henry. Kennedy, Jacqueline. Kennedy, John Fitzgerald. Persons named. White House.
Essex County, Mass.
Essex County, Mass. 1-"Essex Junto." GP was born in what was then the South Parish of Danvers, Essex County, Mass., some 19 miles from Boston. Essex County originally housed the "Essex Junto," a politically intertwined group of the most famous and wealthiest families of eastern Mass. who moved to Boston after the American Revolution: the Lowell, Cabot, Lodge, Lee, Higginson, and Jackson families. They were a compact social group, often intermarrying and helping one another in business. Ref.: Heymann, p. 17. See Peabody, Joseph.
Essex County, Mass. 2-Peabody Institute Libraries, Peabody & Danvers, Mass. GP's branch of the Peabody family was of humble origin and circumstances, unlike distant relative Joseph Peabody (1757-1844) of Salem, Mass., who owned 73 clipper ships and employed some 7,000 seamen in Far East trade. GP's hometown of Danvers was renamed South Danvers when the town was divided (1855) into North Danvers and South Danvers, and was named Peabody by town vote on April 13, 1868. GP founded Peabody Institute libraries in South Danvers, June 16, 1852 (total gift $217,600) and North Danvers, later Danvers, Dec. 22, 1856 (total gift $100,000). See: town names.
Essex Institute Library (now the Peabody Essex Museum), Salem, Mass. See Peabody Essex Museum, Peabody Mass.
Ethnology. See: Archaeology. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard Univ.
GP in Italy and France, 1868
Eugénie, Empress (1826-1920). 1-GP in Italy and France, 1868. About March 16, 1868, GP and his philanthropic advisor Robert Charles Winthrop (1809-94) were received by Napoleon III (Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, 1808-73) and Empress Eugénie in Paris, France. The month before, Feb. 19-28, 1868, GP and Winthrop were in Rome, Italy, mainly for GP to sit in U.S. sculptor William Wetmore Story's (1819-95) studio for the GP seated statue Story was preparing for placement on Threadneedle St., near London's Royal Exchange (unveiled July 23, 1869, by the Prince of Wales). See: Corcoran, William Wilson. Persons named.
Eugénie, Empress. 2-GP in Italy and France, 1868. About Feb. 24-25, 1868, GP and Winthrop had an audience with Pope Pius IX (Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, 1792-1878, Pope during 1846-78), GP's only audience with the Pope and Winthrop's second audience (Winthrop's first audience with the Pope, 1860). GP gave $19,300 to San Spirito Hospital, a Vatican charitable hospital, Rome, Italy, probably Feb. 24-25, 1868. See: San Spirito Hospital, Rome, Italy. Persons named.
Eugénie, Empress. 3-GP in Italy and France, 1868 Cont'd. GP left Rome Feb. 27, 1868, for Genoa, then went by boat to Nice, France, arriving March 3, 1868, where Baltimore friend John Pendleton Kennedy (1795-1870) briefly visited him (Kennedy was on his way to Rome). GP went to Cannes, France, March 16, 1868, where he visited George Eustis (1828-72), son-in-law of GP's Washington, D.C., business friend William Wilson Corcoran's (1798-1888). Corcoran's only daughter Louise Morris [née Corcoran] Eustis died Dec. 4, 1867, leaving George Eustis and their three children. See: Visits to Europe by GP.
Eugénie, Empress. 4-False Report of GP Statue in Rome. GP's visit to Rome, audience with the Pope, and gift to the San Spirito Hospital may have been the basis for a short news item from Rome amid the vast publicity on GP's death (Nov. 4, 1869) and transatlantic funeral: "A statue of Mr. Peabody is to be erected at Rome by order of the Pope." No GP statue in Rome ever materialized. See: Death and Funeral, GP's.
Trent Affair & George Eustis
Eustis, George (1828-72). 1-Confederate Emissary. George Eustis was secretary to Confederate emissary John Slidell (1793-1871). Slidell, his male secretary George Eustis, along with Confederate emissary James Murray Mason (1798-1871) and his male secretary, J.E. McFarland, were on their way to seek aid and arms from Britain and France respectively. On the dark night of Oct. 11, 1861, they and some of their family evaded the Union blockade of Charleston, S.C., got to Havana, Cuba, and there boarded the British mail packet Trent bound for Liverpool, England. On Nov. 8, 1861, in the Bahama Channel, West Indies, the Trent was illegally stopped by the Union warship San Jacinto under Capt. Charles Wilkes (1798-1877). See: Trent Affair.
Eustis, George. 2-Furor Over the Trent. The illegal seizure of Mason, Slidell, and their male secretaries, and their being imprisoned at Boston Harbor's Fort Warren, provoked near-war hysteria between Britain and the U.S. Furor over the Trent affair lasted well into 1862, affecting GP in London. With his advisors and trustees, he was preparing to announce (March 12, 1862) the Peabody Donation Fund, a $2.5 million (total) gift for model housing for London's working poor. Ref.: Ibid. See: Peabody Homes of London.
Eustis, George. 3-Furor Over the Trent Cont'd. The seriousness of the Trent affair and other British-U.S. provocations worried GP and his advisors. Would the British government, press, and public accept his London housing gift? Would they reject it? Britain demanded release of the four prisoners and an explanation. U.S. jingoism calmed. Pres. Lincoln's cabinet met Dec. 26, 1861, disavowed Capt. Wilkes's action as unauthorized, and the four Confederates were released on Jan. 1, 1862. Ref.: Ibid.
Eustis, George. 4-Married Louise Morris Corcoran. Another GP-Trent connection was that Confederate emissary John Slidell's secretary, George Eustice, was married to Louise Morris Corcoran (1838-67), the only daughter of GP's longtime Washington, D.C., business friend William Wilson Corcoran (1798-1888). She was a favorite of GP, who had entertained Corcoran and his daughter, sometimes the daughter alone, on European trips. When Louise Morris (née Corcoran) Eustice reached England, GP's partner Junius Spencer Morgan (1813-90) went to see about her welfare. See: Trent Affair. For GP's 1868 visit to the George Eustis family in France, with sources, see Corcoran, William Wilson.
Eustis, Louise Morris (née Corcoran, 1838-1867), was the only daughter of GP's longtime Washington, D.C., business friend William Wilson Corcoran (1798-1888). She was a favorite of GP, who had entertained Corcoran and his daughter, sometimes the daughter alone, on European trips. She married George Eustis (1828-72) from Louisiana and lived with him in France. For GP's 1868 visit to the George Eustis family in France, a year after her death, with sources, see Corcoran, William Wilson.
PIB Prep School
Evans, May Garrettson (1866-1947). 1-Founder of PIB Prep School. May Garrettson Evans founded the PIB Conservatory of Music Preparatory School in 1898. Born in Baltimore, she spent her childhood in Georgetown, D.C., returned to Baltimore at age 13 to attend the Misses Hall's School, and then attended the PIB Conservatory of Music. Her brother, a Sun reporter, occasionally asked her to review PIB Conservatory of Music programs for the Sun. This experience led her to become the Sun's first woman reporter (between ages 20-27), covering dramatic, musical, and general events. See: PIB Conservatory of Music.
Evans, M.G.. 2-Founder of PIB Prep School Cont'd. May Garrettson Evans was the first to see the need for a preparatory music school for talented children that would be a feeder to the PIB Conservatory of Music and also serve as a general music school for adults. She suggested such a school to then PIB Conservatory of Music director Asger Hamerik (1843-1923), who recommended it to the trustees, but no action was taken. Ref.: Ibid.
Evans, M.G. 3-Founder of PIB Prep School Cont'd. In Oct. 1894 at age 28 she started a preparatory school herself, helped by her sister Marion and taught mostly by PIB Conservatory of Music students and staff. The school flourished, was first called the Peabody Graduates Preparatory and High School of Music, and four years later (1898) renamed the PIB Conservatory's Preparatory Dept. (called familiarly "the Prep"). Ref.: Ibid.
Evans, M.G. 4-Founder of PIB Prep School Cont'd. Evans was superintendent of the Preparatory Dept. for over 30 years. She saw its enrollment grow from some 300 students to over 3,200 students with several branches in and near Baltimore. Besides being a music school for talented children, the Preparatory Dept. also served the public schools and adults interested in music, dance, and dramatic speech. It was also a laboratory school for PIB Conservatory students pursuing a teacher's certificate. Before Evans retired in 1930, a gift from Baltimore lawyer and philanthropist James Wilson Leakin (1857-1922) enabled the Preparatory Dept. to move into its own modern music building, Leakin Hall (1927). Ref.: Ibid.
Evarts, William Maxwell (1818-1901), was one of the 16 original PEF trustees. He was born in Boston, was a Yale graduate (1837), studied law at Harvard Univ.; was admitted to the New York bar (1841); was NYC assistant district attorney (1849-53); was prominent in the Republican Party; represented the U.S. government in Britain to keep Britain from building ships for the Confederate Navy (April-July 1863 and Dec. 1863-June 1864); represented Pres. Andrew Johnson in the Feb. 24-May 16, 1868, Johnson impeachment trial before the U.S. Senate; was U.S. Atty. Gen. in Pres. Johnson's cabinet; was U.S. Counsel in the Alabama Claims arbitration in Geneva (1871-72); was U.S. Secty. of State in Pres. Rutherford B. Hayes's cabinet; and U.S. Sen. from N.Y. (1885-91). Ref.: Hicks, III, pp. 215-218. Curry-b, pp. 19, 33, 35, 64, 106, 137.
GP & Edward Everett
Everett, Edward (1794-1865). 1-Statesman, Educator, Orator. Edward Everett, U.S. statesman, educator, and orator, spoke at the reception for GP in Danvers, Mass., Oct. 9, 1856. This all-day gala affair celebrated GP's first return visit to the U.S. in nearly 20 years since leaving for London, Feb. 1837. Edward Everett was born in Dorchester, Mass., was a Harvard graduate (B.A., 1811, M.A., 1814), Harvard professor of Greek literature (1819-26), member, U.S. House of Rep. (1825-34), Mass. governor (1836-39), and U.S. Minister to Britain (1841-45, where GP had contact with him), Harvard Univ. president (1846-49), U.S. Secty. of State under Pres. Millard Fillmore (1852-53), and U.S. Sen. (1853-54). The most notable orator of his time, his two hour address at the Gettysburg cemetery dedication, Nov. 19, 1863, is largely forgotten while Pres. Abraham Lincoln's three-minute 272-word speech that followed won lasting fame.
Everett, Edward. 2-Oct. 9, 1856, Speech, Danvers, Mass. At the Oct. 9, 1856, GP reception in Danvers, Mass., Edward Everett said in part (after Mass. Gov. Henry J. Gardner's [1818-92] short speech): "While in England I had the opportunity to witness Mr. Peabody's honorable position in commerce and social circles. The pursuit of commerce has done much to promote civilization. From earliest times caravans of trade have bound the human family together and kept the arts and refinements of life from extinction. Medieval guilds were the bulwark of liberty and the germ of representative government. From trade came law, order, and progress...." Ref.: Proceedings...Reception...George Peabody,...Danvers, October 9, 1856, pp. 55-56. Everett-a. Everett-b, II, pp. 466-476. Full speech on internet (seen Dec. 24, 20004): http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moa;idno=AEM7072.0001.001
Everett, Edward. 3-Oct. 9, 1856, Speech, Danvers, Mass. Cont'd. "We honor today one preeminent in commerce. When American credit stood low and the individual states defaulted their trust, our friend stood firm and was the cause of firmness in others. When few would be listened to on the subject of American securities in the parlor o
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