Frank Lusk Babbott

Frank Lusk Babbott (14 August 1854 - 1933) was a multimillionaire jute merchant, art collector, patron, and philanthropist.

Early life

Babbott was born in Waterville, New York, the son of Miller Babbott and Mary Elizabeth Crandall.

Education

He was educated at Amherst College and graduated in the class of 1878. He also studied at Columbia University, graduating with an LLB in 1880.

Career

Babbott was Director of Chelsea Jute Mills from 1883-1901.

Babbott was a member of the Brooklyn Board of Education; president of the Brooklyn Free Kindergarten Society; president Board of Trustees, Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn

He was a trustee of various organisations, including: Vassar College; YWCA of Brooklyn; Brooklyn Academy of Music; Brooklyn Public Library; Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences.

He was vice-president of the New York Board of Education, 1902-04.

The Babbott Room in the Octagon at Amherst College was named in memory of him.

Literary career

Babbott edited "Classic English Odes", and "John Donne's Poems".

Personal life

Babbott's family home was 153 Lincoln Place, New York, NY. They also owned an estate at Glen Cove, Long Island, advertised for sale in 2008 at $4.2 million.

Babbott married Lydia Richardson Pratt (1857-1904), daughter of Standard Oil magnate Charles Pratt on 18 February 1886.

They had four children:
* Mary Babbott, who married Dr William Sargeant Ladd
* Frank Lusk Babbott Jr (1891-1970) (Amherst 1913)
* Lydia Pratt Babbott, who married a Mr Stokes
* Helen L Babbott

Legacy

A public park, Babbott Field and a street, Babbott Avenue, both in Waterville, New York, were named in his honor.

External links

* [http://www.amherst.edu/~rjyanco94/genealogy/acbiorecord/1878.html Amherst College record]