Anthony Joseph Drexel Jr.
Anthony Joseph Drexel Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | 14 December 1934 (aged 70) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, philanthropist |
| Known for | Banking, philanthropy, social connections with King Edward VII |
Anthony Joseph Drexel Jr. (September 9, 1864 – December 14, 1934) was a prominent American banker and philanthropist, notably recognized for his close ties with King Edward VII.
Early life
Drexel Jr. was born in Philadelphia to the financier Anthony Joseph Drexel (1826–1893) and Ellen Rozet (1832–1891). He was one of nine siblings, including Emilie Taylor Drexel, Frances Katherine Drexel, Mae E. Drexel, Sarah Rozet "Sallie" Drexel—who married Alexander Van Rensselaer—John R. Drexel, and George William Childs Drexel.
His father was a co-founder of the influential banking institution Drexel, Morgan & Co in 1871 alongside J.P. Morgan, and also founded Drexel University in 1891. On his paternal side, his grandfather was Francis Martin Drexel, an Austrian-born banker, while his maternal grandparents were John Roset and Mary Ann Laning.
Career
Beginning in 1878, Drexel entered his father’s firm, Drexel & Co., located in Philadelphia. He became a partner on January 1, 1890. However, following his father's death, he resigned on October 21, 1893, at the age of 29, withdrawing from the Philadelphia-based Drexel & Co., New York’s Drexel, Morgan & Co., and Paris’s Drexel, Harjes & Co..
According to a close associate who spoke to The New York Times, Drexel favored personal freedom and social engagements over the constraints of business duties. Soon after leaving the family firm, he purchased the Wilstach mansion in Philadelphia for $175,000 and acquired the steamer named Avenel.
Lifestyle
After his father passed away in 1893, Drexel moved to Europe and established residences in London at 22 Grosvenor Square and Carlton House Terrace. Together with his wife Margarita Armstrong, he hired Sir Charles Allom to refurbish their London residence, incorporating features such as a Louis XVI-inspired ballroom and marble flooring. In 1910, they hosted a grand event for their daughter Margaretta’s society wedding to Guy Finch Hatton, Viscount Maidstone (later the 14th Earl of Winchilsea), entertaining approximately 1,500 guests. Following the decline of their marriage, Drexel relocated to Paris while the Maidstones stayed nearby.
In both London and Paris, he maintained relationships with notable personalities including playwright Clyde Fitch. From 1915 until his passing, he resided at 68 rue de Bellechasse in Paris as well as other country homes after enduring a difficult divorce. Renowned for his extravagant social gatherings and passion for yachting, he owned distinguished yachts such as Sayonara, Margarita, and Aloma.
His club memberships included prestigious organizations like the Philadelphia Club, Rabbit Club, Racquet Club of Philadelphia, and Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia in Philadelphia; as well as the Knickerbocker Club, Union Club of the City of New York, New York Yacht Club, and Turf and Field Club based in New York.
Personal life
On September 14, 1886, Drexel married Margarita "Rita" Armstrong (1867–1948), daughter of John Armstrong from the Baltimore Armstrong family and Margaretta McKee. This union connected them to influential American and European social networks. The couple had four children:
- Anthony Joseph Drexel III (1887–1946), who wed Marjorie Gould, daughter of George Jay Gould.
- Margaretta Armstrong Drexel (1889–1952), who married Guy Finch-Hatton, 14th Earl of Winchilsea in 1910.
- John Armstrong Drexel (1891–1958), recognized as an aviation pioneer.
- Louis Clapier Norris Drexel (1896–1962).
Following an extended period of separation and legal proceedings, Anthony and Margarita finalized their divorce on May 25, 1917. Margarita subsequently remarried Lt.-Col. Brinsley FitzGerald, son of Sir Peter FitzGerald.
Anthony Joseph Drexel Jr. passed away at age 70 in New York City due to uremic poisoning while residing at the Hotel Ambassador in 1934.
Further reading
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Age error
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1864 births
- 1934 deaths
- Drexel family
- 19th-century American businesspeople
- American bankers
- Drexel University people
- Members of the Philadelphia Club
- Businesspeople from Philadelphia
- Burials at The Woodlands Cemetery
- American people of Austrian descent