Catherine Hookey Drexel

Catherine Hookey Drexel

Drexel, Catherine Hookey, 1795-1870

Catherine Hookey Drexel (1795-1870) married Francis M. Drexel in 1821. Their early relationship was marked by an interfamily clash when Francis sued Catherine's brother-in-law Bernard Gallagher for libel. Bernard had been spreading rumors that slandered Francis' character. While the rumors were admittedly untrue, they resulted in Francis losing his position as an art instructor. After settling the suit, Francis left for several years in South America to market his portrait skills, leaving Catherine back in Philadelphia to raise their two oldest children, Mary Johanna and Francis Anthony.

By 1837, Francis had given up painting for a growing banking concern. Catherine and Francis had six children in total: Mary Johanna (1822-1873), Francis Anthony Drexel (1824–1885), Anthony Joseph Drexel (1826–1893), Joseph Wilhelm Drexel (1831-1888), Heloise Drexel (1837-1895), and Caroline Drexel (1838-1911).

1795

1870

Philadelphia, Pa.

Detail of Portrait of Catherine Hookey Drexel
Drexel, Francis Martin, 1792-1863
circa 1850
painting
oil, ivory
Gift of Eleanor and Paul M. Ingersoll
The Drexel Founding Collection, Drexel University
2003.003.0001

Public domain, digitized by Drexel University Archives. Please credit the “Drexel University Archives, Drexel University” in the case of image use and reproduction. Please contact the Drexel University Archives with questions.