Vaux, Roberts, 1786-1836

Roberts Vaux was treasurer of PMMWD in 1831.

Quaker Roberts Vaux was an American juror, philanthropist and abolitionist; he became a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1819.

American jurist and philanthropist.

Roberts Vaux (1786-1836), from Philadelphia, Pa., was the son of Quakers Richard Vaux and Ann Roberts Vaux. He received a classical education in Latin and Greek and, at eighteen, he became a merchant also devoting much time to benevolent organizations. Soon after the death of his sister, Susanna, in 1812, Vaux retired from the business world and devoted all his time to charitable enterprises. These enterprises included prison reform, abolition, educational reform, institutions for the physically and socially handicapped, libraries and a variety of other concerns. One of his major interests was education and he presided over the Philadelphia school system from 1818 to 1831 and from 1827 to 1831 he presided over the Pennsylvania Society for the Promotion of Public Schools. He was a staunch Democrat and served for several years on the Philadelphia city council.

Roberts Vaux was a philanthropist, and was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1819.

Philadelphia philanthropist.

Roberts Vaux was a prominent Philadelphia philanthropist.

Quaker philanthropist of Philadelphia, Pa.