Corcoran, William Wilson, 1798-1888

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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)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Corcoran Gallery Of Art. Curator's Journal, 1876 1882.
referencedIn University Of California At Berkeley, Bancroft Library. Leconte Papers.
referencedIn Photographic Portrait File The Huntington Library
referencedIn Harrison, Gabriel, 1818-1902. Gabriel Harrison letters, 1873-1883 Newberry Library
referencedIn Smithsonian Archives. Ru 7064: Metropolitan Mechanics Institute Minutes.
referencedIn Riggs Family Papers, 1763-1945 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf W. W. Corcoran Papers, 1791-1896, (bulk 1849-1888) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn University Of Vermont, Bailey/Howe Library. Manton Marble Papers.
creatorOf Corcoran, W. W. (William Wilson), 1798-1888. Papers, 1838-1887. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Elder, John Adams, 1833-1895. Papers, 1837-1910. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Abram P. T. Elder Papers, 1890-1916, (bulk 1903-1916) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Carlisle, James Mandeville, 1814-1877. Papers, 1836-1872. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn MacLeod, William. William MacLeod papers, 1839-1890. Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
referencedIn Oertel, Johannes Adam Simon, 1823-1909. Johannes Adam Simon Oertel papers, 1847-1909. George Washington University
referencedIn Bache, A. D. (Alexander Dallas), 1806-1867. Alexander Dallas Bache Papers, 1821-1869 Smithsonian Institution Archives
creatorOf Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington. Historic manuscript collection 1607-1933 (bulk 1738-1868) George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
referencedIn Bradley, Page Riggs, donor. Corcoran & Riggs partnership documents, 1840-1848. George Washington University
referencedIn Porcher, Frederick A. (Frederick Adolphus), 1809-1888. Frederick A. Porcher papers [addition], 1855-1899. University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries
referencedIn Library Of Congress, Manuscript Division. William T. Sherman Papers.
referencedIn Smithsonian Archives. William Jones Rhees Collection.
referencedIn Papers of Jane Gay Dodge, 1882-1951 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
referencedIn Harrison, James Francis, 1815-1894. James F. Harrison letters to J.A. Elder [manuscript], 1877 Jun 2. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn University of Virginia. Library. Catalogue of the gift of W. W. Corcoran [manuscript] no date University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Library Of Congress, Manuscript Division. W. W. Corcoran Papers.
referencedIn Clark, Allen C. (Allen Culling), 1858-1943. Allen C. Clark papers, 1879-1943. Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
referencedIn Donald McClelland papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn George Washington University. Board of Trustees. Board of Trustees records, 1821-2003. George Washington University
referencedIn Elder, Abram P. T. (Abram Peter Turner). Papers, 1890-1916 (bulk 1903-1916). Library of Congress
creatorOf Corcoran, W. W. (William Wilson), 1798-1888,. Richard L. and Vinnie Ream Hoxie papers, 1862-1921. Historical Society of Washington, D.C.
referencedIn Alderman, Edwin Anderson, 1861-1931,. Barringer family papers [manuscript] 1717-1959. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Rhees, William Jones, 1830-1907. William Jones Rhees Papers, 1744-1907 The Huntington Library
creatorOf Corcoran, W. W. (William Wilson), 1798-1888. Letter : Washington City, to Dr. James Laurie, Washington City, 1843 Jan. 4. George Washington University
referencedIn Eustis, George, 1828-1872. George Eustis papers, 1659-1884. Library of Congress
referencedIn National Archives And Records Administration. Rg 42: Public Buildings And Grounds.
referencedIn Dix, Dorothea Lynde, 1802-1887. Papers, 1798-1893 (bulk 1827-1887) Houghton Library
creatorOf District of Columbia. Office of the Surveyor. W.W. Corcoran's "Hare-Wood" tract : [part of Washington D.C.] / copy'd from my notes of survey made of it in 1852, Lewis Carbery, Su'r Co. Washington DC, Dec'r 9th 1859. Library of Congress
referencedIn Brainard, Charles Henry, 1817-1885. Papers, 1795-1884 and undated Houghton Library
creatorOf Stuart, Alexander H. H. (Alexander Hugh Holmes), 1807-1891. Papers of Alexander H. H. Stuart and the related Stuart and Baldwin families [manuscript], 1776-1878 (bulk 1850-1861). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Toner, Joseph M. (Joseph Meredith), 1825-1896. Papers of Joseph M. Toner, 1741-1896. Library of Congress
referencedIn Corcoran Gallery Of Art. Trustees' Minutes.
referencedIn Perske, Martha. Individual manuscripts, 150 AD. - 1998. George Washington University
referencedIn Historical Society Of Pennsylvania. Gratz Collection.
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1863-1879 Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn Smithsonian Institution. Office of the Secretary. Correspondence, 1865-1891 Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn Bocock, Thomas S., 1815-1891. Papers of Bocock and of the Bocock, Thornhill Christian, Stephens, Flood, Patteson, and Diuguid families of Buckingham and Appomattox counties, 1760-1897. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Smithsonian Archives. Ru 52: Assistant Secretary, Incoming Correspondenc.
creatorOf Corcoran, W. W. (William Wilson), 1798-1888. Letters, 1841-1883, Washington, D.C., to six correspondents. George Washington University
referencedIn Coffin, James H. (James Henry), 1806-1873. James Henry Coffin Papers, 1848-1884 Smithsonian Institution Archives
creatorOf Corcoran, W. W. (William Wilson), 1798-1888. Letter, Washington, D.C., to Joseph Bryan, Richmond, Va. [manuscript] 1879 April 24. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Eustis family. Eustis-Emmet family collection, 1869-ca. 1950s. Oatlands (Historic house and museum)
referencedIn Vol. CXXX1V (ff. 188). June 1871-April 1872.includes:ff. 1, 22, 57, 70, 85-88b, 91 Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB; Prime Minister of Canada: Correspondence with Lord Ripon: 1871.ff. 7-168b passim Mountague Bernard, international lawyer: Corres... British Library
referencedIn Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874. Correspondence, 1829-1874 Houghton Library
referencedIn Joseph Meredith Toner Collection of Manuscripts, 1741-1896 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Barron family. Papers of the Barron family, 1822-1920 (bulk 1822-1889). University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Vol. CXXXIII (ff. 270). March-May 1871.includes:f. 1 Samuel G. Ward, banker; of New York: Letter to Lord Ripon: 1871.ff. 3, 124 (draft), 125 (draft), 134, 204 (draft), 215, 247-254 British America, and United States: Memoranda, etc., rel. to the ... British Library
referencedIn Autograph File, C Houghton Library
referencedIn National Archives And Records Administration. Henry Stevens Papers.
referencedIn Peabody, Marian Lawrence. 1875-1974. Letters and family papers, 1783-1957 Houghton Library
referencedIn Papers, 1882-1951 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Miller, Virginia. Papers of Leesburg, Va., families [manuscript] 1650, 1782-1926, 1961. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Edward Maynard Papers, 1836-1867 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Corcoran, W. W. (William Wilson), 1798-1888. Note : to "Dear Madam", [18]81 Jan. 13. George Washington University
referencedIn Weather Bureau National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Rogers Memorial Collection: Photographs, prints, and drawings, ca. 1600-1936 (bulk: 1861-1936) Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Corcoran Gallery of Art records Archives of American Art
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Aiken, William, 1806-1887 person
correspondedWith Allen, William person
associatedWith Army Medical Museum corporateBody
correspondedWith Baird, Spencer F. person
associatedWith Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. corporateBody
correspondedWith Bancroft, George, 1800-1891 person
associatedWith Bank of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Barron family. family
correspondedWith Belmont, August, 1816-1890 person
correspondedWith Belmont, August, 1816-1890 person
correspondedWith Blake, E. Tucker person
associatedWith Bocock, Thomas S., 1815-1891. person
associatedWith Bradley, Page Riggs, donor. person
correspondedWith Brainard, Charles Henry, 1817-1885 person
correspondedWith Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875 person
correspondedWith Brice, Arthur person
correspondedWith Brice, Arthur person
correspondedWith Bright, Jesse D. (Jesse David), 1812-1875 person
correspondedWith Brown, S. C. person
associatedWith Brown, Temple person
associatedWith Bryan, Joseph, 1845-1908, person
correspondedWith Buchanan, James, 1791-1868 person
correspondedWith Capen, Nahum person
associatedWith Carlisle, James Mandeville, 1814-1877. person
associatedWith Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Childs, George W. person
associatedWith Clark, Allen C. (Allen Culling), 1858-1943. person
correspondedWith Clemson, Thomas Green, 1807-1888 person
correspondedWith Columbian College corporateBody
associatedWith Combs, Leslie, 1793-1881 person
correspondedWith Corcoran Art Gallery corporateBody
correspondedWith Corcoran family family
associatedWith Corcoran family. family
associatedWith Corcoran Gallery of Art. corporateBody
associatedWith Corcoran Gallery of Art. corporateBody
associatedWith Corcoran & Riggs. corporateBody
associatedWith Corcoran, Thomas, 1754-1830. person
associatedWith Corcoran, William Wilson person
associatedWith Coyle, Jonathan F. person
correspondedWith Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889 person
correspondedWith Davis, John Wesley, 1799-1859 person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
correspondedWith Dickinson, Daniel S. (Daniel Stevens), 1800-1866 person
associatedWith District of Columbia. Office of the Surveyor. corporateBody
correspondedWith Dix, Dorothea Lynde, 1802-1887 person
associatedWith Dodge, Jane Gay, 1881-1963. person
correspondedWith Douglas, Stephen A. (Stephen Arnold), 1813-1861 person
correspondedWith Downing, Andrew J. person
correspondedWith Doyle, Alexander, 1857-1922 person
associatedWith Elder, Abram P. T. (Abram Peter Turner) person
associatedWith Elder, John Adams, 1833-1895. person
correspondedWith Eustis, George, 1828-1872. person
correspondedWith Everett, Edward, 1794-1865 person
correspondedWith Ezekiel, Moses Jacob, 1844-1917 person
associatedWith Fillmore, Millard person
correspondedWith Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874 person
correspondedWith Foreman, Edward (Dr.) person
correspondedWith Forney, John W. (John Wien), 1817-1881 person
correspondedWith Gallaudet, Edward Miner, 1837-1917 person
correspondedWith Gardner, John Lane, 1793-1869 person
associatedWith George Washington University. Board of Trustees. corporateBody
correspondedWith Gerolt, Friedrich Karl Joseph von, ca. 1798-1879 person
correspondedWith Gillet, Ransom H. (Ransom Hooker), 1800-1876 person
correspondedWith Government Hospital For The Insane (St. Eliz.) corporateBody
correspondedWith Harrison, Gabriel, 1818-1902 person
associatedWith Harrison, James Francis, 1815-1894. person
correspondedWith Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 person
correspondedWith Hoyt, John Wesley person
associatedWith Hoyt, J. W. person
correspondedWith Humboldt, Alexander von, 1769-1859 person
associatedWith Humboldt, F. W. H. Alexander Von person
correspondedWith Hunter, R. M. T. (Robert Mercer Taliaferro), 1809-1887 person
correspondedWith Hyde, Anthony person
correspondedWith Hyde, Anthony person
correspondedWith Jackson, A. person
associatedWith JANE GAY DODGE, 1881-1963 person
correspondedWith Jobson, D. Wemyss person
correspondedWith Johnson, Robert Ward, 1814-1879 person
correspondedWith Jones, George Wallace, 1804-1896 person
correspondedWith Jones, J. William (John William), 1836-1909 person
correspondedWith Kendall, Amos, 1789-1869 person
associatedWith King, Horatio person
correspondedWith Lanman, Charles, 1819-1895 person
associatedWith Laurie, James. person
correspondedWith Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870 person
associatedWith Little Miami Railroad Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Lucas, George A. person
correspondedWith Macleod, William person
associatedWith MacLeod, William. person
correspondedWith Markoe, Francis, Jr. person
correspondedWith Mason, J. M. (James Murray), 1798-1871 person
associatedWith Maynard, Edward, 1813-1891. person
associatedWith McClelland, Donald. person
associatedWith Mechanics Institute corporateBody
correspondedWith Metropolitan Mechanic's Institute corporateBody
associatedWith Mollhausen corporateBody
correspondedWith Morgan, Junius Spencer, 1813-1890 person
associatedWith Oertel, Johannes Adam Simon, 1823-1909. person
correspondedWith Patterson, Joseph person
correspondedWith Peabody, George, 1795-1869 person
correspondedWith Peabody, Marian Lawrence, 1875- person
correspondedWith Peirce, Benjamin person
associatedWith Perske, Martha person
associatedWith Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Rail Road Company. corporateBody
correspondedWith Polkenhorn, Henry person
associatedWith Porcher, Frederick A. (Frederick Adolphus), 1809-1888. person
associatedWith Randolph, John, 1773-1833. person
correspondedWith Renwick, James, 1818-1895 person
associatedWith Riggs and Co. corporateBody
correspondedWith Riggs, Elisha, 1826-1881 person
correspondedWith Riggs family family
correspondedWith Riggs, Lawrason, 1814-1884 person
correspondedWith Roche, R. J. person
associatedWith Rogers, Fairman person
associatedWith Rogers, Henry Munroe, 1839-1937 person
correspondedWith Rorer, David, 1806-1884 person
correspondedWith Sherman, W. T. (Gen.) person
correspondedWith Slaughter, Philip, 1808-1890 person
correspondedWith Smoot, Camuel C. person
associatedWith Stewart, Frederick D. person
correspondedWith Stille, Charles Janeway person
correspondedWith Story, William Wetmore, 1819-1895 person
associatedWith Story, W. W. person
associatedWith Stuart, Alexander H. H. (Alexander Hugh Holmes), 1807-1891. person
correspondedWith Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874 person
associatedWith Surgeon General's Office corporateBody
associatedWith Toner, Joseph M. (Joseph Meredith), 1825-1896. person
associatedWith Tunstall, Nannie Whitmell, 1853-1892. person
correspondedWith Ulke, Henry person
associatedWith University of Virginia. Library. corporateBody
correspondedWith Vail, Aaron, 1796-1878 person
correspondedWith Venable, Charles S. (Charles Scott), 1827-1900 person
correspondedWith Walker, Robert J. (Robert John), 1801-1869 person
correspondedWith Walters, William Thompson person
associatedWith Walter, Thomas U. person
associatedWith Washington Monument corporateBody
associatedWith Washington National Monument Society corporateBody
correspondedWith Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852 person
associatedWith Wilson, Colston & Co. corporateBody
correspondedWith Wilson, James Grant, 1832-1914 person
correspondedWith Winthrop, Robert C. (Robert Charles), 1809-1894 person
associatedWith Wright, W. Lloyd (William Lloyd), 1876-1950, person
associatedWith Young, Mrs. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Lynchburg (Va.)
United States of America
New York (State)--New York
Iowa--Dubuque
Wisconsin
Ohio
West Virginia
United States of America
Delaware
Washington (D.C.)
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Texas
Washington (D.C.)
California
Washington (D.C.)
Washington (D.C.)
Virginia
Mississippi
Maryland--Baltimore
Subject
Education
Applied Science, General
Army
Art museums
Art museums
Banks and banking
Banks and banking
Banks and banking
Banks and banking
Business brokerage
Business brokerage
Business brokerage
Business brokerage
Canals
Canals
Canals
Congress
District of columbia
Endowments
Exposition
Finance
Finance
Finance
Finance
Fine Arts
Henry Family
Henry, Joseph, Personality, Etc
Medicine
National Academy of Sciences
Railroads
Railroads
Railroads
Railroads
Railroads
Railroads
Railroads
Railroads
Railroads
Real estate investment
Real estate investment
Recommendations For Positions
Scientific organizations
Scientific publications
Smithsonian Library
Smithsonian Publications
Speculation
Wilkes Expedition
Occupation
Financiers
Philanthropists
Activity

Person

Birth 1798

Death 1888

Birth 1798-12-27

Death 1888-02-24

Americans

Information

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Ark ID: w6t25v97

SNAC ID: 85686096