John Pierrepont

John Pierrepont was one of America’s most renowned and influential figures, serving as attorney general from 1875 to 1876. In addition to being a poet, patriot, preacher, philosopher and philanthropist – his legacy lives on today.

Over his long career, Pierpont demonstrated the creative energy of a poet, the moral commitment of a patriot, religious conviction of a preacher and compassion for humanity of a philanthropist. In short, Pierpont was an inspiring reformer.

Early Life and Education

John Pierrepont was a wealthy London vintner with a passion for supporting the Church of England’s charitable endeavors. In 1708, he established Lucton School to offer traditional grammar education to local boys.

He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Unitarian movement and an accomplished poet, lawyer, and merchant in his own right.

At the height of his career, he served as President of both Rye Historical Society and Jay Heritage Center. A dedicated family man, he treasured his wife and children above all else and loved their community deeply. On September 25, 2020 he passed away peacefully leaving behind a generous bequest that will continue to benefit Oneida Community Mansion House for generations to come.

Professional Career

Pierpont achieved great success as a lawyer, judge, Attorney General of the United States and minister to Great Britain. Born on March 4th 1817 in North Haven Connecticut, he attended Yale College and graduated in 1837.

After graduating, he practiced law in New Haven and Columbus, New York before moving to New York City in 1846. A member of the New York Bar Association and trustee for several nonprofit institutions such as Knickerbocker Club, he was also active within his community.

The Pierrepont papers consist of correspondence; legal and financial documents; printed matter; and other material related to his professional life. Reprints of legal briefs, opinions, speeches; congressional bills; circular letters; clippings are also present in this collection. Topics such as Reconstruction, bimetallism, the “whiskey ring” controversy, and Hayes-Tilden election also figure prominently.

Achievements and Honors

John Pierpont Morgan was an eminent American banker who built the largest and most successful financial institution in history. Additionally, he had a philanthropic side that saw him donate funds to numerous worthwhile causes.

Born into a wealthy family, Morgan was an innate financier who was encouraged by his father to pursue a career in finance. After attending schools in Boston, Switzerland and Germany, J.P. Morgan enjoyed an illustrious career that included time spent in London before returning home to New York City, where his leadership helped shape the American financial landscape for decades to come.

He is credited with saving the nation from financial collapse in 1871 by declaring that gold would be used as currency. Furthermore, he co-founded the Carnegie Institute of Science – a pioneering organization of its kind in America – which would later go on to become one of its most renowned centers.

Personal Life

Pierpont was an renowned philanthropist and leader in the nonprofit sector. He served as trustee of organizations such as Wildlife Conservation Society and New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, among others.

He served as trustee of the Knickerbocker Club and was a member of both the National Academy of Design and Vincent Astor Foundation. Tragically, he passed away in 2001.

Pierrepont was born in Manhattan and raised in Far Hills, New Jersey. He earned his diplomas from Lawrenceville School and Yale College in 1939.

He was a descendant of the Pierpont family who settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts around 1640. The name Pierrepont comes from its French equivalent: “stone bridge”, making it both home to an illustrious English family and the site of America’s first stone ferry.

Net Worth

John Pierpont Morgan achieved great success throughout his life as a businessman. He amassed an enormous fortune through investments, banking and financing activities.

He was an incredibly generous philanthropist. He contributed to the construction of Brooklyn and funded numerous local projects, such as Fulton Ferry.

When the Panic of 1907 hit, Morgan took action by organizing a meeting where he offered to create liquidity to stabilize the financial world. This decision proved crucial as it saved the country from going bankrupt due to lack of financing.

He was an acclaimed and influential American financier and investment banker who dominated corporate finance on Wall Street during the Gilded Age.