Warren Delano Sr.

Warren Delano Sr. was a prominent American merchant and opium trader who played a significant role in the China trade during the 19th century. He was a member of the wealthy and influential Delano family, which included notable figures such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, and Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. Delano's business dealings and family connections made him a key figure in the history of the United States, particularly in the areas of international trade and foreign policy. His interactions with other notable individuals, including Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and William McKinley, further solidified his position in American society.

● Early Life

Warren Delano Sr. was born in Newburgh, New York, to Warren Delano and Deborah Church. His family was of English descent and had a long history of involvement in maritime trade and commerce. Delano's early life was marked by his family's connections to the Dutch West India Company and the East India Company, which would later influence his own career in the China trade. He was educated at Columbia College and later attended Harvard University, where he developed relationships with other prominent individuals, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Delano's interactions with these figures, as well as his family's connections to the Boston Brahmin and the New York City elite, helped shape his worldview and inform his future business dealings.

● Career

Delano's career as a merchant and opium trader began in the 1830s, when he joined the Russell & Company firm in Canton, China. He quickly established himself as a skilled and savvy businessman, forming relationships with other notable traders, including Abel Upshur and Matthew Perry. Delano's involvement in the opium trade was significant, and he played a key role in the First Opium War and the Treaty of Nanjing. His business dealings also brought him into contact with other influential figures, including Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and Napoleon III. Delano's interactions with these individuals, as well as his involvement in the China trade, helped shape the course of international relations and global commerce during the 19th century. He was also a member of the New York Yacht Club and the Union Club of the City of New York, which further solidified his position in American society.

● Family and Personal Life

Warren Delano Sr. married Catherine Robbins Lyman in 1843, and the couple had several children, including Warren Delano Jr., Susan Delano, and Louisa Delano. His family connections to the Roosevelt family and the Astor family made him a part of the American aristocracy. Delano's relationships with other notable families, including the Vanderbilt family and the Morgan family, further solidified his position in high society. He was also a friend and acquaintance of other prominent individuals, including Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, and Henry James. Delano's personal life was marked by his love of sailing and yachting, and he was a member of the New York Yacht Club and the Larchmont Yacht Club. His family's summer home, Algonac, was located in Newburgh, New York, and was a popular gathering place for the Delano family and their friends.

● Later Life and Legacy

Warren Delano Sr. died in 1898, at the age of 89, in New York City. His legacy as a prominent American merchant and opium trader continues to be felt today, with his family's connections to the Roosevelt family and the Astor family remaining a significant part of American history. Delano's interactions with other notable individuals, including Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, helped shape the course of American politics and foreign policy during the 20th century. His family's philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of the Delano Foundation, continue to support a variety of causes, including education and conservation. Delano's life and legacy serve as a reminder of the significant role that the Delano family has played in shaping American society and international relations over the past two centuries. Category:American businesspeople