Robert Maclay (Merchant)
Encyclopedia
Robert Maclay was an American merchant, business executive, and New York City politically appointed urban development executive. He engaged in real estate and banking in The City of New York; and also, upon the death of his father-in-law, Alfred Barmore, he became president of Knickerbocker Ice Company — the largest ice company in the country.
Maclay was a Director of Bowery Savings Bank and a trustee of the Northern Dispensary.
On April 14, 1892, Maclay was appointed as member of the Rapid Transit Commission. From 1891 until his death in 1898, he served as Chairman of the Building Commission
for the New York City Board of Education
. He presided as Chairman of the Building Commission when the American architect Charles B. J. Snyder was elected at Superintendent of School Buildings
in 1891.
Maclay was a graduate of Judson College
, Judson College, Mount Palatine, Illinois
. He was a trustee of the Madison Avenue Baptist Church
and The Manhattan Club and was one of the incorporators of the New York Botanical Garden
.
He was a member of New York Historical Society, the New York Athletic Club, the Metropolitan Club
, the Grolier Club
, the Downtown Association, the Brown Society of Glasgow, and the Advisory Committee of New York University
.
On May 18, 1868, he married Georgiana Barmore, daughter of Alfred Barmore, former president of the Knickerbocker Ice Company. Robert and Georgiana had two children:
Robert Maclay died in Elberon, New Jersey
July 28, 1898.
Maclay was a Director of Bowery Savings Bank and a trustee of the Northern Dispensary.
On April 14, 1892, Maclay was appointed as member of the Rapid Transit Commission. From 1891 until his death in 1898, he served as Chairman of the Building Commission
Superintendent of School Buildings, New York City
The Superintendent of Schools Buildings was a position assigned by the School Building Commission of the New York City Board of Education.-BOE Superintendents of School Buildings:Brooklyn Board of Education ...
for the New York City Board of Education
New York City Board of Education
The New York City Board of Education is the governing body of the New York City Department of Education. The members of the board are appointed by the mayor and by the five borough presidents.-Rise, fall and return of Mayoral Control:...
. He presided as Chairman of the Building Commission when the American architect Charles B. J. Snyder was elected at Superintendent of School Buildings
Superintendent of School Buildings, New York City
The Superintendent of Schools Buildings was a position assigned by the School Building Commission of the New York City Board of Education.-BOE Superintendents of School Buildings:Brooklyn Board of Education ...
in 1891.
Maclay was a graduate of Judson College
Judson College, Mount Palatine, Illinois
Judson College, Mount Palatine, Illinois, was founded as Mount Palatine Academy in 1846 under the auspices of the Baptist denomination. It was chartered by the state of Illinois as a university in the winter of 1850-51, then led by its first president in 1853, and sold under fiscal duress by the...
, Judson College, Mount Palatine, Illinois
Judson College, Mount Palatine, Illinois
Judson College, Mount Palatine, Illinois, was founded as Mount Palatine Academy in 1846 under the auspices of the Baptist denomination. It was chartered by the state of Illinois as a university in the winter of 1850-51, then led by its first president in 1853, and sold under fiscal duress by the...
. He was a trustee of the Madison Avenue Baptist Church
Madison Avenue Baptist Church
Madison Avenue Baptist Church was first chartered in 1848 as Rose Hill Baptist Sunday School and Church, on East 30th Street between Third and Lexington Avenues. Rose Hill was a house church with twelve members...
and The Manhattan Club and was one of the incorporators of the New York Botanical Garden
New York Botanical Garden
- See also :* Education in New York City* List of botanical gardens in the United States* List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City- External links :* official website** blog*...
.
He was a member of New York Historical Society, the New York Athletic Club, the Metropolitan Club
Metropolitan Club
The Metropolitan Club is a private social club in New York City. It was formed in 1891 by J.P. Morgan, who served as its first president. Other original members included William K. Vanderbilt and James Roosevelt. Its 1912 clubhouse, designed by Stanford White, stands at 1-11 East 60th Street, on...
, the Grolier Club
Grolier Club
The Grolier Club is a private club and society of bibliophiles in New York City. Founded in January 1884, it is the oldest existing bibliophilic club in North America. The club is named after Jean Grolier de Servières, Viscount d'Aguisy, Treasurer General of France, whose library was famous; his...
, the Downtown Association, the Brown Society of Glasgow, and the Advisory Committee of New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
Family
Robert Maclay was born in New York City June 11, 1834, to the marriage of Robert Haldane Maclay, MD, and Eliza Maclay (née Labatut).On May 18, 1868, he married Georgiana Barmore, daughter of Alfred Barmore, former president of the Knickerbocker Ice Company. Robert and Georgiana had two children:
- Alfred Barmore Maclay (1871–1944), the namesake of the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State ParkAlfred B. Maclay Gardens State ParkThe Alfred B. Maclay State Gardens is a Florida State Park, botanical garden and historic site, located in Tallahassee, in northwestern Florida. The address is 3540 Thomasville Road....
in Florida. - Robert Maclay (b. 1877)
Robert Maclay died in Elberon, New Jersey
Elberon, New Jersey
Elberon is an unincorporated area that is part of Long Branch in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. The area is served as United States Postal Service ZIP code 07740....
July 28, 1898.
External links
- The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume IV, pg. 467, James T. White Company (1895).