Paul Mellon

Paul Mellon was a renowned American philanthropist, art collector, and horse breeder, who was the son of Andrew W. Mellon, the former United States Secretary of the Treasury, and Nora McMullen. He was also the nephew of Richard B. Mellon, a prominent banker and philanthropist. Paul Mellon's life was marked by his passion for art, horses, and philanthropy, which led him to establish the Bollingen Foundation and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. He was also a trustee of the National Gallery of Art and a member of the Jockey Club.

● Early Life and Education

Paul Mellon was born on June 11, 1907, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Andrew W. Mellon and Nora McMullen. He spent his childhood in Pittsburgh and New York City, and was educated at St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts, and later at Yale University, where he graduated in 1929. During his time at Yale University, he was a member of the Skull and Bones Society and developed a strong interest in art and history, which was influenced by his father's collection of Old Master paintings. He also spent time at Clare College, Cambridge, where he studied under the tutelage of Frank Whittle and E.M. Forster.

● Career

Paul Mellon's career was marked by his involvement in the Mellon family's business interests, including the Mellon National Bank and the Gulf Oil Corporation. However, his true passion lay in art and horses, and he spent much of his life collecting and breeding Thoroughbred horses. He was a member of the Jockey Club and owned several successful racing stables, including Rokeby Stables and Sagamore Farm. He also served as a trustee of the National Gallery of Art and was a member of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. In addition, he was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Board of Trustees.

● Art Collection and Philanthropy

Paul Mellon's art collection was one of the most impressive in the world, and included works by Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and J.M.W. Turner. He was particularly interested in British art and established the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art to promote the study and appreciation of British art and architecture. He also donated many works of art to the National Gallery of Art, including paintings by John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough. In addition, he was a supporter of the Yale Center for British Art and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. His philanthropic efforts also extended to the Bollingen Foundation, which he established in 1945 to promote the study of humanities and social sciences.

● Personal Life

Paul Mellon married Mary Conover Brown in 1935, and the couple had two children, Timothy Mellon and Catherine Conover Mellon. He was known for his love of horses and the outdoors, and spent much of his time at his estate in Upperville, Virginia, where he bred and trained Thoroughbred horses. He was also a member of the Pittsburgh Golf Club and the New York Yacht Club. In his later years, he suffered from Alzheimer's disease and died on February 1, 1999, at the age of 91, at his home in Upperville, Virginia.

● Legacy

Paul Mellon's legacy is one of philanthropy and a passion for art and horses. He was a generous donor to many institutions, including the National Gallery of Art, the Yale Center for British Art, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. He also established the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art and the Bollingen Foundation, which continue to promote the study and appreciation of British art and humanities. His collection of art and rare books is now housed at the Yale University Library and the National Gallery of Art, where it remains one of the most important collections in the world. He was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1985 for his contributions to the arts. Today, his legacy continues to inspire new generations of art lovers and collectors, including those at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Tate Britain, and the National Museum of Western Art. Category:American philanthropists