Robert Gilmor II (1774-1848)
Merchant, Shipowner & Art Collector, of Baltimore, Maryland
He lived between Baltimore and his country estate "Beech Hill" (see images). He was a prominent merchant, art collector and philanthropist. He was a co-founder of the Maryland Historical Society and his private art collection was one of the best of its time in the United States. It included art (14th century Old Masters and 17th century Dutch and Flemish works), antiquities, rare books, autographs, coins, stamps, rocks, and minerals. He was married twice. His first wife, Elizabeth, was the daughter of William Cooke, President of the Bank of Maryland. His second wife, Sarah, was the daughter of James Ladson, Lieutenant-Governor of South Carolina. He didn't have children but he and his second wife raised her niece, Isabel Ann Baron. They "treated her as a daughter" and later supported the business endeavours of her husband John McPherson Brien. Isabel's daughter, Isabel, married Sarah's nephew, Major W.H. Ladson.
