Col. Robert Means Thompson (1849-1930)
of 1607 23rd St. NW, Washington, D.C., President of the U.S. Olympic Association
He was born in Pennsylvania and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy (1868), serving as an officer in the Navy before taking a law degree from Harvard and entering the business world. He became a highly successful industrialist, owning several copper and nickel mines in Canada before serving as Chairman of the International Nickel Company of Canada and President of the New York Metal Exchange. Beyond business, he was deeply committed to education and scientific advancement. He was President of the Navy League of the United States and a major benefactor of several institutions, making significant donations that funded polar exploration, scientific research, maritime causes, sport and veteran organizations. He was twice President of the American Olympic Association (1912 & 1924) and Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of New Jersey with the rank of Colonel. He married Sarah, daughter of William Channing Gibbs, Governor of Rhode Island, and they had one daughter. They kept a summer home in Southampton, L.I., a yacht named Everglades, and in 1907 moved from 5 East 53rd St., N.Y.C., to 1607 23rd St. (see images), Washington D.C., designed by Carrère & Hastings.
