Person    | Male  Born 18/2/1795  Died 4/11/1869

George Peabody

Categories: Philanthropy, Property, Social Welfare

Countries: USA

Philanthropist. Born Massachusetts, USA, descended from English immigrants to America. A merchant businessman who moved into banking, in partnership with J. S. Morgan and became extremely wealthy. First came to the UK in 1827. He never married but had a mistress and daughter in Brighton to whom he was generous during his lifetime but they did not figure in his will.

His philanthropy in America was focussed on education and in Britain on housing. In 1862 he created The Peabody Donation Fund and the first Peabody model housing block was opened in Spitalfields, followed soon by buildings in Chelsea, Bermondsey, Islington, and Shadwell. The Fund, now 'Peabody', continues to provide housing.

Peabody died at a friend's home at 80 Eaton Square. His will required that he be buried in his home town but first he was given a state funeral in Westminster Abbey and then his body was ceremonially shipped across to America where he was buried in the family tomb that he had himself built, at his home town that had, in 1868, been renamed Peabody.

London Details has a good post on this man and his statue.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
George Peabody

Commemorated ati

Bowler plaque - Keys and Doorbells

This cast-iron roundel, showing keys and doorbells, is one of 22 - see Bowler...

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George Peabody

Greater London Council George Peabody, 1795-1869, philanthropist, died here.

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George Peabody statue

Unveiled by the then Prince of Wales, unusually in the subject's lifetime. To...

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Other Subjects

Fusilier Aid Society

Fusilier Aid Society

A fund for injured fusiliers and their families. It distributes grants to those who suffer physically and mentally as a consequence of combat, or those who have fallen on hard times.

Group, Philanthropy

1 memorial
James  Fegan

James Fegan

Philanthropist. Born James William Condell Fegan in Southampton. He moved to London in 1865 and eventually joined a firm of colonial brokers. He soon became aware of the plight of many young boys l...

Person, Children, Philanthropy, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Readymoney

Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Readymoney

Companion of the Star of India, a wealthy Parsi gentleman of Bombay. His grandfather and two great-uncles had made their names, literally, in the opium trade with China (facilitated by the British)...

Person, Engineering, Philanthropy, Politics & Administration, India

2 memorials
Grand Order of Water Rats

Grand Order of Water Rats

Show business charity with headquarters at The Water Rats Public House in the Gray's Inn Road.

Group, Music / songs, Philanthropy, Theatre, TV & Radio

7 memorials
William Wilberforce (abolitionist)

William Wilberforce (abolitionist)

Politician, philanthropist and slavery abolitionist. Born in High Street, Hull. Entered parliament in 1780 and became a close ally of William Pitt the Younger. He converted to evangelical Christian...

Person, Philanthropy, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Seriously Famous

7 memorials