George Peabody (1795-1869)
American Banker in London & the "Father of Modern Philanthropy"; died unmarried
Born into a poor family in Massachusetts, he entered the dry goods business before going in to banking. In 1837, he moved to London (which was then the capital of world finance) where he became the most influential American banker and helped to establish the young country's international credit. Having no son of his own to whom he could pass on his business, Peabody took on Junius Spencer Morgan as a partner in 1854 and their joint business would go on to become the global financial services firm J.P. Morgan & Co. In old age, Peabody won worldwide acclaim for his philanthropy. He founded the Peabody Trust in Britain (one of London's oldest and largest housing associations with over 19,000 affordable properties) and the Peabody Institute and George Peabody Library in Baltimore. He was responsible for many other charitable initiatives and in recognition of his generosity he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and made a Freeman of the City of London, among many other honors. He died unmarried.
