Alexander Van Rensselaer (1851-1933)

Alexander Van Rensselaer (1851-1933)

Van Rensselaer, Alexander, 1851-1933

In his youth, Alexander was educated at Princeton, from which he graduated in 1871 after excelling in both athletics and academics. He married Sarah Drexel Fell Van Rensselaer in 1898. Both Alexander and Sarah were independently wealthy, and it was never necessary for them to work for gain. Alexander was a consummate supporter of the arts and was the President of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association from the time of its inception in 1901 until his retirement shortly before his death.

Both he and Sarah were enthusiastic yachtsman, but converted the family yacht May into a hospital ship following the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. The family received a commendation from President McKinley for that service. Shortly before the outbreak of World War I, Alexander was appointed Chairman of the Pennsylvania division of the Navy League and helped to found training camps for Navy reservists.

He was also Commodore of the Corinthian Yacht Club, President of the Seaman's Institute and a life trustee of Princeton University, in addition to having served as Director of the Drexel Institute in 1897, and the President of the Board of Directors in 1908. Upon his death, a portion of his wealth was left to Drexel.

The couple was also extremely active in Philadelphia high society and hosted—and was hosted by—many influential persons. When they took a cruise around the world in 1901, the Van Rensselaers were guests of the Japanese imperial family, the Court of St. James, the Viceroy of India, and the Rajah of Singapore.

Alexander also took part in the early stages of the US Tennis Championships, as he was an outstanding tennis player. He made it to the quarterfinals for singles in 1884, and the finals for doubles in 1881, 1883, and 1884. Alexander was in the Young American Cricket Club and won the Halifax Cup in 1880, 1881, 1883, and 1885. He died in 1933 and is buried in the Saint Thomas Episcopal Church Cemetery in Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

1851

1933

Detail of Portrait of Alexander Van Rensselaer, 1851-1933
de Chabannes la Palice, Jean Charles Pierre, 1862 - 1928
circa 1900
oil, canvas
Gift of Mrs. Radcliffe Cheston Jr.
The Drexel Founding Collection, Drexel University
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Public domain, digitized by Drexel Founding Collection. Please contact the Drexel Founding Collection for image use and reproduction.