Who was Girard in Philadelphia?
Stephen Girard
Stephen Girard (1750-1831) was a wealthy merchant, banker, and philanthropist who resided in Philadelphia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born in France in 1750, Girard spent much of his adolescence sailing between various Atlantic ports with his father, a sea captain.
How did Girard end up in Philadelphia?
Girard was born in Bordeaux, France on 21 May 1750 the son of a common sailor. He lost the sight of his right eye at the age of eight and had little education. In May 1776, Girard sailed into the port of Philadelphia to avoid a group of Royal Navy warships and settled there running a grocery and liquor shop.
What did Stephen Girard do for a living?
Stephen Girard, (born May 20, 1750, Bordeaux, France—died December 26, 1831, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.), American financier and philanthropist whose purchase of government bonds during the War of 1812 provided economic support for continuation of U.S. military campaigns.
Did Stephan Girard own slaves?
As the British left the Mount Holly area, Stephen Girard and his wife moved back to Philadelphia where their business flourished in 1777 and 1778. Girard was no different in that regard; he felt no stigma in owning slaves. But while he had slaves in his household, he did not carry slaves on any of his ships.
Did Stephen Girard have children?
He never remarried and had no children. Mary was buried in an unmarked grave on the hospital grounds after her death in 1815. 5. While Mary was still alive, Girard took into his household a mistress, Sally Bickham, and also took Sally’s younger brother under his wing, educating him in the business of trade.
Who is Girard named after?
banker Stephen Girard
Girard Avenue was named for banker Stephen Girard (1750–1831) – at his death, the richest man in the United States – who directed that his fortune be used to found a trade school for orphaned boys.
Who was Stephen Girard in the book Fever?
Merchant, banker and philanthropist Stephen Girard gained notoriety in Philadelphia during the yellow fever pandemic, as he used his wealth and experience to take care of those stricken with the illness, following the treatment plan of Dr. Edward Stevens.
How did Stephen Girard make his money?
His fortune continued to grow through the Revolution as he evaded the British blockade and continued to run his shipping enterprises. He began to trade with China and profited from the central government regulation of shipping brought about by the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1789.
Who was the richest person in 1812?
The largest investor in the First Bank was Stephen Girard, the richest man in the nation. When, after 20 years, Congress shut the bank down, Girard purchased it and its assets and promptly opened his own Girard Bank. He’d go on to increase his fortune and singlehandedly rescue the nation during the War of 1812.
Who took over Girard Bank?
Mellon Bank
The bank was acquired by Mellon Bank in 1983 and then, two decades later, by Citizens Bank….Girard Bank.
| Industry | Retail bank |
|---|---|
| Fate | Acquired by Mellon Bank in 1983 |
| Successor | Mellon Bank (East), Citizens Bank |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Products | Financial services |
How did Philadelphia get its nickname?
Philadelphia has long been nicknamed “The City of Brotherly Love” from the literal meaning of the city’s name in Greek (Greek: Φιλαδέλφεια ([pʰilaˈdelpʰeːa], Modern Greek: [filaˈðelfia]), “brotherly love”), derived from the Ancient Greek terms φίλος phílos (beloved, dear, or loving) and ἀδελφός adelphós (brother.
How did Philadelphia streets get their names?
After William Penn laid out his plan for Philadelphia with surveyor Thomas Holme in 1683, most of the streets running east-west were named after trees.