French-born American merchant, banker, and philanthropist based in Philadelphia who was considered the wealthiest man in the United States at the time of his death.
| When Burke met | 1818 |
| Where Burke met | Philadelphia, PA |
| Occupation | Commerce |
| Interaction with Burke | Burke asked for help find candidates for churches in Montrose and Wilkesbarre; Girard refused to help |
| Identity Status | Confirmed |
| Genealogy | WikiTree |
| Memoir Pages | 99-100 |
Notes
Stephen Girard (born Étienne Girard; May 20, 1750 – December 26, 1831) was a French-born American merchant, banker, and philanthropist based in Philadelphia. Born in Bordeaux to sea captain Pierre Girard, he engaged in global maritime trade before settling in Pennsylvania, where he naturalized in 1778. In 1776, he married Mary Lum; she was later institutionalized for mental instability, and their only child died in infancy. Girard amassed immense wealth through his shipping fleet and the establishment of Girard’s Bank, which served as the primary financier for the United States government during the War of 1812. His substantial assets also included real estate and a slave plantation in Louisiana. Noted for his direct care of the sick during Philadelphia’s yellow fever epidemics, Girard died childless and bequeathed the bulk of his fortune to municipal and charitable institutions, most notably endowing Girard College.
Sources
Burke, William. Memoir of William Burke: A Soldier of the Revolution, Reformed from Intemperance, and for Many Years a Consistent and Devoted Christian; Carefully Prepared from a Journal Kept by Himself; to Which Is Added, an Extract from a Sermon Preached at His Funeral, by Rev. Nathaniel Miner. Hartford, CT: Case, Tiffany, 1837.