George Robert White
Encyclopedia
George Robert White was an American
philanthropist
. He was a citizen of Boston, Massachusetts for most of his life. As a boy he began working for the Weeks and Potter Drug Company. Over time White's responsibilities grew and he eventually became the president and owner of the firm. White changed the name of the corporation to that of the Potter Drug and Chemical Company. The company was best known for its antibacterial soap with the brand name Cuticura
. Over the course of his life he amassed a fortune. He was active in a number of charitable organizations, and after his death in 1922 he bequethed a sizable endowment on the City of Boston
named The George Robert White Fund.
Management of the fund is seated in the Mayor of Boston, the President of the City Council, the City Auditor, the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and the President of the Boston Bar Association. Eager to prevent unduly hasty disbursements from the fund, White required a minimum of 3 months deliberation before disbursement. He required the city to make an annual report to the public by the trustees in order to maintain a degree of public accountability.
White's desire was to concentrate the fund's spending on substantial projects to beautify the city and while not requiring the following, mentioned in his will projects such as a zoological garden, aquarium, and public gathering places. He suggested allowing the income of the fund to build periodically in order that the projects undertaken could be substantial and not trivial.
Additionally, he was a substantial benefactor of:
(creator of the Concord Minuteman statue in Concord, MA). In 1924 another monument by French was erected in the Boston Public Garden
entitled Angel of the Waters. Additionally, in 2002 the George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center was constructed and grew out of a strong commitment to conservation and environmental protection from both the City of Boston and the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. He was a citizen of Boston, Massachusetts for most of his life. As a boy he began working for the Weeks and Potter Drug Company. Over time White's responsibilities grew and he eventually became the president and owner of the firm. White changed the name of the corporation to that of the Potter Drug and Chemical Company. The company was best known for its antibacterial soap with the brand name Cuticura
Cuticura soap
Cuticura soap is an antibacterial medicated soap, in use since 1865 manufactured by Potter Drug and Chemical Company, George Robert White owner. It contains triclocarban instead of the more usual triclosan. These two antibacterial agents have very similar molecularity. By themselves they kill...
. Over the course of his life he amassed a fortune. He was active in a number of charitable organizations, and after his death in 1922 he bequethed a sizable endowment on the City of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
named The George Robert White Fund.
George Robert White Fund
The George Robert White Fund was established in White's will when he left a trust of $5,000,000 to the City of Boston as a permanent charitable fund. The net income of the fund is to be used only for creating public beauty and utility for the inhabitants of the city, and cannot be used for any of the normally provided services of the municipality.Management of the fund is seated in the Mayor of Boston, the President of the City Council, the City Auditor, the President of the Chamber of Commerce, and the President of the Boston Bar Association. Eager to prevent unduly hasty disbursements from the fund, White required a minimum of 3 months deliberation before disbursement. He required the city to make an annual report to the public by the trustees in order to maintain a degree of public accountability.
White's desire was to concentrate the fund's spending on substantial projects to beautify the city and while not requiring the following, mentioned in his will projects such as a zoological garden, aquarium, and public gathering places. He suggested allowing the income of the fund to build periodically in order that the projects undertaken could be substantial and not trivial.
Charitable boards and associations
Mr White was a trustee of several public organizations, including:- Museum of Fine ArtsMuseum of Fine Arts, BostonThe Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the largest museums in the United States, attracting over one million visitors a year. It contains over 450,000 works of art, making it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Americas...
- Forest Hills CemeteryForest Hills CemeteryForest Hills Cemetery is a historic cemetery, greenspace, arboretum and sculpture garden located in the Forest Hills section of the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The cemetery was designed in 1848.-Overview:...
Additionally, he was a substantial benefactor of:
- Museum of Fine ArtsMuseum of Fine Arts, BostonThe Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the largest museums in the United States, attracting over one million visitors a year. It contains over 450,000 works of art, making it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Americas...
- Massachusetts General HospitalMassachusetts General HospitalMassachusetts General Hospital is a teaching hospital and biomedical research facility in the West End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts...
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesMassachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesThe Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is an accredited, private institution located in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area of Boston, Massachusetts...
Commemorations
White is remembered by three notable public memorials. In 1905 a memorial was erected at the Forest Hills Cemetery entitled Angel of Peace created by the notable sculptor Daniel Chester FrenchDaniel Chester French
Daniel Chester French was an American sculptor. His best-known work is the sculpture of a seated Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.-Life and career:...
(creator of the Concord Minuteman statue in Concord, MA). In 1924 another monument by French was erected in the Boston Public Garden
Boston Public Garden
The Public Garden, also known as Boston Public Garden, is a large park located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, adjacent to Boston Common.-History:...
entitled Angel of the Waters. Additionally, in 2002 the George Robert White Environmental Conservation Center was constructed and grew out of a strong commitment to conservation and environmental protection from both the City of Boston and the Massachusetts Audubon Society.