Joined The Silent Majority

W. W. Corcoran died in Washington F'ebruary 24, after an illness of buc two weeks, although be faas been graduaüy failing for the past year. Hon. W. W. Corcoran, one of the most famous philanthropists and liberal art fiatrons of the United States, was born in íeorgetown, V. C, Uec. 27, 17ÍK, and was conaequently in his 90th year. He was educated there and engaged in business with varying fortunes until 1S40, when he formed a partnership with O. W. Riggs. Fortune fnvored him from thaton, and his investraents in Washington real estáte made him wealthy. Ue leaves an estáte supposed to le worth from six to seven million-, The bundreds of thousands he has given away can scarcely be estimated. His cnreer in Washington has been full of benefactions. The one with which his name is most proininently associated is the Corcoran art gallery on Pennsylvania avenue. The erection of the gallery was begun in 1S57, but work on it was interrupt.ii 1 during the war. The total cost vas about $35),ixK). He settled upon the institution SOUO,OOU, which bringsan incoine of $00,000 ]ier year, todefray the expenses, add to the collections, etc. The art collection is one of the finest in the United States. The Louise home for old ladies, named after his only daughter, is another mark of his benevolence. Another in stance of his public spirit and generosity was his providing for the interment ö( Payne, the author of "Home, Kweet Home," and the erection of a monument to his memory. Mr. Corcoran was a staunch democrat and a liberal contributor to the campain fund. When in the banking business Mr. Corcoran found hiraself with $12,000,000 of the Mexican war loan on his hands in a failing market. He went to London, enlisteu great banking houses there in support of a loan tlmt seemed perilous, but that subsequently rose to a high premium, and laid the basis of a fortnne. Mr. Corcoran in ÍSSS married Louise Amory Morris, daughter of Commodore Charles Morris. Mrs. Corcoran died fivp years later. Their nrst ohild, a boy, diec when an infant, and an only daughter, Louise, who married (Jeorge Kustis (a brother of the )reseut Senator Eustis ot Louisiana,) died in 17, leaving two toni and a daughter, who will undoubtedly inherit the bulk of Mr. Corcoran's for tune. Mr. Corooran gave away In public and private chaiity and in benevolent qequests probably $3,OUO,000.