George Seckel Pepper

Lawyer, Philanthropist. Admitted to the Philadelphia bar in 1830, he had studied under Horace Binney, but never practices, instead devoting his life to using the wealth he inherited from his father for charitable and social causes. He was one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Academy of Music, and at one time its president. He was also for some years president of the Academy of Fine Arts. His $225,000 behest established the Free Library of Philadelphia. A gift of $5000 was given to the Spring Garden Soup Society for the feeding of the needy. His large estate was devoted to many charities.

When he died his estate was estimated to be worth $5 Million dollars, which in today's money is equivalent to $129,750,000.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 3 2019, 1:16:43 UTC