19 Facts About James Lenox

James Lenox was an American bibliophile and philanthropist.

James Lenox inherited a fortune from his merchant father and spent much of his life amassing a collection of art and literature unparalleled in value.

James Lenox's library, valued at nearly a million dollars, stood on what is the site of the Frick Collection.

James Lenox generously donated to institutions like the Presbyterian Hospital and American Bible Society.

James Lenox never married, and became increasingly reclusive after a broken romance.

James Lenox was born in New York City on August 19,1800.

James Lenox was the only surviving son of six children born to Rachel Lenox and Robert Lenox.

James Lenox's father was a wealthy merchant who was born in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, emigrated to America during the Revolutionary War, and settled in New York in 1783.

James Lenox went to Europe soon after his admission to the bar and, while abroad, began collecting rare books.

On May 23,1895, the James Lenox Library was consolidated with the Astor Library and the Tilden Trust to form the New York Public Library.

James Lenox was a founder of the Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

James Lenox made important gifts to Princeton College and Seminary, and gave liberally to numerous churches and charities connected with the Presbyterian Church.

James Lenox was the president of the American Bible Society, to which he was a liberal donor.

James Lenox occasionally reprinted limited editions, restricted to ten or twenty copies, of rare books, which he placed in some of the great public libraries and notable private collections, for example, that of John Carter Brown.

James Lenox declined proffered visits from the most distinguished men of the day.

James Lenox was assigned an apartment in Lenox's spacious mansion, and the works were sent in installments without him ever entering the library or meeting Lenox.

James Lenox was the third richest man in New York, worth approximately three million dollars.

James Lenox died at his home, 53 Fifth Avenue in New York City, on February 17,1880.

James Lenox was buried in the New York City Marble Cemetery.