Drowne, Henry Russell, 1860-1934.

New York City native Henry Russell Drowne (1860-1934) was a wool merchant with the firm of Laurie, Mann Drowne until 1911 and was the son of fire insurer Henry Thayer Drowne (1822-1897). A collector of paper money, he specialized in U.S. fractional currency. After becoming a resident member of the American Numismatic and Archeological Society (later the American Numismatic Society) in 1882, he went on to serve in many positions, including historiographer, secretary, second vice president, first vice president, and secretary. In addition, he was a governor (1911-1934), sat on the council (1905-1934), and was active on several committees, including Paper Money and Publication of Medals. Drowne was charter member #59 of the American Numismatic Association, a life member of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, and a member of the New-York Historical Society, the Rhode Island Society of the Cincinnati, and the Sons of the Revolution of the State of New York, for which he wrote A Sketch of Fraunces Tavern and Those Connected with Its History (1919). He died in a fire at his home in New York City at 306 West 78th Street on November 15, 1934. Numerous tapestries, antiques, and paintings, including Rembrandts and Whistlers, were lost in the fire.