Edward Drummond Libbey
Encyclopedia
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, where he opened the Libbey Glass Company (later Libbey, Inc.) in 1888.
Biography
Libbey was born in Chelsea, MassachusettsChelsea, Massachusetts
Chelsea is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States directly across the Mystic River from the city of Boston. It is the smallest city in Massachusetts in land area, and the 26th most densely populated incorporated place in the country.-History:...
, USA. After attending Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, he worked for the New England Glass Company
New England Glass Company
The New England Glass Company of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was established by "Amos Binney, Edmund Munroe, Daniel Hastings, and Deming Jarves ... on February 16, 1818. It produced both blown and pressed glass objects in a variety of ... colors, which had engraved, cut, etched, and gilded decorations...
beginning in 1874, becoming president from 1883 to 1886.
He opened the Libbey Glass Co in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, in 1888, sponsoring a demonstration plant at the Chicago exposition of 1893. His success depended heavily on the inventions of Michael Joseph Owens
Michael Joseph Owens
Michael Joseph Owens was an inventor of machines that could automate the production of glass bottles.-Biography:...
. In 1903, Libbey founded the Owens Bottle Machine Company (later Owens-Illinois
Owens-Illinois
Owens-Illinois Inc. is a Fortune 500 company that specializes in container glass products. It is one of the world's leading manufacturers of packaging products, holding the position of largest manufacturer of glass containers in North America, South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe...
), and, in 1916, the Libbey-Owens Sheet Glass Company, serving as president of both firms.
He was the founder of the Toledo Museum of Art
Toledo Museum of Art
The Toledo Museum of Art is an internationally known art museum located in the Old West End neighborhood of Toledo, Ohio, United States. The museum was founded by Toledo glassmaker Edward Drummond Libbey in 1901, and moved to its present location, a Greek revival building designed by Edward B....
in 1901, serving as its president from 1901 to 1925, funding building construction, and bequeathing to the museum his collection of Dutch and English art. Libbey High School in Toledo, Ohio, is named after him.
See also
- Libbey Owens FordLibbey Owens FordThe Libbey–Owens–Ford Company was a producer of flat glass for the automotive and building products industries both for original equipment manufacturers and for replacement use. The company's headquarters and main factories were located in Toledo, Ohio, with large float glass plants in Rossford,...
- Georgia CayvanGeorgia CayvanGeorgie Eva Cayvan was a popular stage actress in the United States in the later part of the nineteenth century.-Early life:...
- wore his first glass dress made in 1893 - Ojai, CaliforniaOjai, CaliforniaOjai is a city in Ventura County, California, USA. It is situated in the Ojai Valley , surrounded by hills and mountains. The population was 7,461 at the 2010 census, down from 7,862 at the 2000 census.-History:Chumash Indians were the early inhabitants of the valley...
- early civic leader