Ford, Gordon Lester, 1823-1891

Gordon Lester Ford (1823-1891) was a businessman, lawyer and collector of Americana. He practiced law for much of his life but his main interests were business and real estate investment. He was president of the New London, Willimantic & Palmer Railroad from 1852 to 1856 and director or investor in several other railroads. He also served as U.S. Marshall in southern New York, collector of internal revenue for the third collection district, commissioner of deeds, and business manager of the New York Tribune. In 1863 he helped to found the Brooklyn Daily Union, a newspaper devoted to supporting the Union cause during the Civil War. He also was a founder of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and of the Brooklyn Art Association. He collected books and manuscripts and assembled what was regarded as one of the largest private collections of Americana.

From the description of Gordon Lester Ford papers, 1830-1910, bulk (1850-1869). (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122431443

From the guide to the Gordon Lester Ford papers, 1830-1910, 1850-1869, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Lawyer, collector; New York City.

Treasurer of Brooklyn Art Association, 1862-1891, which later became the Brooklyn Academy of Music. At the time of his death, Ford possesed the most valuable private library collection in the U.S., which his sons donated to the New York Public library.

From the description of Gordon Lester Ford papers, 1828-1889. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122594759

Brooklyn residents Gordon L. Ford (1823-1891), Samuel S. Powell, and Henry A. Washburn worked as a lawyer, a clothier, and an engineer, respectively.

The Brooklyn Academy of Music, one of Brooklyn's premier centers for the performing arts, was founded in 1859 and officially opened in 1861 on Montague Street. After its building was destroyed by a fire in 1903, the Academy moved to a facility on Lafayette Avenue in the neighborhood of Fort Greene, which opened in 1908. In 1936, facing depleted financial resources, the Academy became part of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, with which it remained until the 1970s, when it again became an independent organization.

From the guide to the Brooklyn Academy of Music stock certificates, 1861, (Brooklyn Historical Society)