1
100
1
-
http://omeka.philaathenaeum.org/collections/files/original/c7ad4b1c3904b5829e8615e847ab114c.jpg
c63592a909589ffe811c56e54b5ffd7d
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Portraits and Paintings
Description
An account of the resource
Presented here are portraits and paintings found in various Athenaeum collections. Most are oil paintings, though a few portraits have been included that were created in other mediums. There are additional portraits and paintings in the Bonaparte Collection, also available on this site.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Biddle, Nicholas (1786-1844)
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Circle of Thomas Sully
Extent
The size or duration of the resource.
31"x27"
Medium
The material or physical carrier of the resource.
Oil on canvas; gilt frame
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Gift of The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
General Collection, Museum Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
http://www.philaathenaeum.org/rights.html
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2018.11.01
Description
An account of the resource
Legislator and financier Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844) was a member of the prominent Biddle family of Philadelphia, whose ancestors came to America with William Penn. A child prodigy, Biddle graduated from Princeton at the age of 15. He spent several years traveling throughout Europe, and served as secretary to James Monroe, then the US minister to Great Britain. Upon returning to the United States in 1807, Biddle practiced law, edited the literary magazine Port Folio, and helped edit the Lewis and Clark expedition journals for publication.
Biddle belonged to many Philadelphia civic organizations, among them: the Athenaeum of Philadelphia (which he helped found in 1814), the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture. Additionally, Biddle served as President of the Girard College Board of Trustees and was instrumental in fulfilling Stephen Girard’s vision of building a school for poor orphaned boys.
As a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Biddle advocated for the reestablishment of a national bank. In 1816, the second Bank of the United States was chartered, and in 1819, Monroe, now president of the United States, appointed Biddle to the board of directors of the Bank. In 1822 Biddle became president of the Bank, serving in that role until 1839, when it became increasingly clear that President Andrew Jackson’s refusal to renew the Bank’s charter all but guaranteed the Bank’s failure. The Bank ultimately closed in 1841.
Throughout his career, Biddle often took respite at his country residence known as Andalusia. In 1811 Biddle had married Jane Craig, and in 1814 obtained her parents’ large house located 14 miles north of Philadelphia overlooking the Delaware River. He commissioned architect Thomas Ustick Walter (who had designed Girard College) to transform the existing Craig house into a Greek Revival masterpiece. Biddle applied his lifelong interest in the arts, architecture, and experimental agriculture to develop the home and gardens into a stately and serene estate. Today, Andalusia is a National Historic Landmark open to visitors.
Nicholas Biddle died at Andalusia in 1844 at the age of 58.
Andalusia
Athenaeum Board of Directors
Athenaeum Shareholders (and Family)
Girard College
James Monroe
Nicholas Biddle
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture
Thomas Ustick Walter
William Penn