Corcoran, William Wilson, 1798-1888

Washington, D.C. banker and philanthropist.

From the description of Note : to "Dear Madam", [18]81 Jan. 13. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 22205349

From the description of Letter : Washington City, to Dr. James Laurie, Washington City, 1843 Jan. 4. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 22205336

Banker and philanthropist, of Washington, D.C.

From the description of Papers, 1838-1887. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19405728

American banker and philanthropist; founder of Riggs Bank and the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

From the description of Letters, 1841-1883, Washington, D.C., to six correspondents. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 13908029

Financier and philanthropist.

From the description of W.W. Corcoran papers, 1791-1896 (bulk 1849-1888). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70979902

Epithet: American banker

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000572.0x000035

Biographical Note

• 1798, Dec. 27: Born, Washington, D.C.; educated in private schools, with one year at Georgetown College
• 1817 - 1823 : Operated W. W. Corcoran & Co., dry goods store and wholesale auction and commission business, Washington, D.C.
• 1828 - 1836 : Real estate and suspended debts manager, Washington Branch of the Bank of the United States
• 1835: Married Louise Amory Morris
• 1837 - 1840 : Operated brokerage business in Washington, D.C.
• 1840: Formed Corcoran & Riggs, a banking firm in Washington, D.C.
• 1847 - 1851 : Major financier of Mexican War bonds
• 1854: Withdrew from Corcoran & Riggs to manage own properties and pursue philanthropic interests
• 1859: Began construction of Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
• 1862 - 1865 : Lived in Europe
• 1869: Founded Louise Home, residence for elderly women, Washington, D.C.
• 1872: Corcoran Gallery of Art opened
• 1888, Feb. 24: Died, Washington, D.C.

From the guide to the W. W. Corcoran Papers, 1791-1896, (bulk 1849-1888), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)