THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF STEPHEN GIRARD OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, MARINER AND MERCHANT. WITH AN APPENDIX DESCRIPTIVE OF GIRARD COLLEGE
Philadelphia, PA: E. Stanley Hart, 1885. Second Edition, Revised. Hardcover. Octavo, 7.7 in. x 5 in., pp. 185. Illustrated with tissue-guarded frontispiece. Burgindy cloth beveled boards with triple frame stamped in blind to front and back. Gilt title to spine. Light rubbing to edges and sunning to spine. Previous owners' bookplate to front pastedown, and signature, dated 1888, to front flyleaf. Front hinge cracked but holding. Good Plus. Item #88037
Stephen Girard came to America by way of Philadelphia in 1776 through circumstance rather than by purpose. He had been to New York on earlier voyages, but it was not until his arrival in Philadelphia that Girard made America his permanent home. He went on to be the wealthiest citizen and, in several ways, he contributed much to the early growth of the new nation he adopted. His influence was evident in shipping, construction, banking, and even in politics, later into coal mining and railroads. In a more benign display of control, Girard gained great civic regard with his attention to the human tragedies that took a toll in the early years of the Republic. His generosity was exhibited in many charitable works, the most notable of which thrives today. Many decades after his death in 1831, Girard College, a school opened in his name, continues to function as he decreed it, giving opportunity to those who would otherwise not have it. (from Mike DiMeo, Girard graduate and author of book about Girard's history).
Price: $50.00