Francis Anthony Drexel

Francis Anthony Drexel

Drexel, Francis Anthony, 1824-1885

Francis is the eldest son of Francis M. and Catherine Drexel. He joined his father's broker company at the age of 13, after having extensive experience traveling with his father as a child. He and his brothers, Anthony and Joseph Drexel, were all made partners at Drexel & Co. The company had offices in many different cities in many different countries. In 1854 he married Hannah Langstroth, and had two children with her, Elizabeth Drexel and Katharine Drexel. In 1860 he married Emma Bouvier, with whom he had one child with, Louise Bouvier. Francis fully supported his second wife's philanthropic undertakings, and the family spent around $30,000 a year on their home-based charity. After his death in 1885, he left bequests to several different institutions, including St. Joseph's College, the House of the Good Shepherd, the German Hospital of Philadelphia, St. John's Orphan Asylum for Boys, St. Joseph's Female Orphan Asylum, and La Salle College.

1824

1885

Philadelphia, Pa.

Banker, Drexel & Co.

Philanthropist

Detail of Photo of Francis Anthony Drexel, undated
MC.00.001 Drexel Family Collection
Drexel University Archives, Drexel University
20070290193_01

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