Thomas Gilcrease | |
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Born | William Thomas Gilcrease February 8, 1890 |
Died | May 6, 1962 | (aged 72)
Nationality | Muscogee (Creek) Nation, American |
Occupation | Oilman |
Years active | 1922–1962 |
Known for | Founder of Gilcrease Museum |
Spouses | |
Children | 3 |
William Thomas Gilcrease (February 8, 1890 – May 6, 1962) was an American oilman, art collector, and philanthropist. During his lifetime, Gilcrease collected more than 10,000 artworks, 250,000 Native American artifacts and 100,000 rare books and documents, including the only surviving certified copy of the Declaration of Independence. He was the founder of Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1971, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.[1]