Henry Osborne Havemeyer

Henry Osborne Havemeyer
Unidentified photographer · Public domain · source
Name	Henry Osborne Havemeyer
Birth date	October 18, 1847
Birth place	New York City
Death date	December 4, 1907
Death place	New York City
Occupation	Businessman, Sugar Trust executive, art collector
Spouse	Louisine Havemeyer
Children	Electra Havemeyer Webb, Horace Havemeyer

Henry Osborne Havemeyer was a prominent American businessman, Sugar Trust executive, and art collector, known for his extensive collection of Impressionist and Modern art pieces, including works by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Mary Cassatt. He was a key figure in the development of the American sugar industry, serving as the president of the American Sugar Refining Company. Havemeyer's business career was marked by his involvement with notable figures such as J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller. His art collection, which included pieces by Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and Berthe Morisot, was considered one of the most impressive in the United States at the time.

● Early Life and Education

Havemeyer was born in New York City to a family of Dutch and English descent, and was educated at Columbia University and the City College of New York. He was influenced by his family's business background, particularly his father, Frederick Christian Havemeyer, who was a successful sugar refiner and founder of the Havemeyer & Elder company. Havemeyer's early life was also shaped by his relationships with notable figures such as William H. Vanderbilt and Jay Gould. He developed an interest in art and culture, which would later become a significant part of his life, inspired by institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Academy of Design.

● Business Career

Havemeyer's business career began in the sugar industry, where he worked for his family's company, Havemeyer & Elder, before becoming a key executive at the American Sugar Refining Company. He played a crucial role in the development of the Sugar Trust, a dominant force in the American sugar industry, and worked closely with other prominent businessmen, including J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller. Havemeyer's business dealings also involved interactions with notable figures such as Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick. His involvement in the sugar industry led to connections with organizations like the New York Stock Exchange and the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York.

● Art Collection

Havemeyer's art collection was renowned for its impressive array of Impressionist and Modern art pieces, including works by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Mary Cassatt. He was particularly interested in the works of French artists, such as Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and Berthe Morisot, and his collection included pieces from the Musée d'Orsay and the Louvre. Havemeyer's collection was also influenced by his relationships with notable art dealers, including Durand-Ruel and Ambroise Vollard. His art collection was showcased in various exhibitions, including those at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art.

● Personal Life

Havemeyer was married to Louisine Havemeyer, a prominent art collector and philanthropist, and had three children, including Electra Havemeyer Webb and Horace Havemeyer. His personal life was marked by his interests in art, culture, and philanthropy, and he was involved with various organizations, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Public Library. Havemeyer's relationships with notable figures, such as Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, also played a significant role in his personal life. He was a member of exclusive clubs, including the Union Club of the City of New York and the New York Yacht Club.

● Legacy

Havemeyer's legacy is marked by his significant contributions to the American sugar industry and his impressive art collection, which is now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His business career and art collection have been the subject of various studies and exhibitions, including those at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art. Havemeyer's influence can also be seen in the work of other notable art collectors, including John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Mellon. His legacy continues to be felt in the art world, with his collection remaining one of the most important and influential in the United States, alongside those of the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institution.