William H. Osborn

William H. Osborn
President of the Illinois Central Railroad
In office
December 1, 1855 – July 11, 1865
Preceded byJohn N. A. Griswold
Succeeded byJohn M. Douglas
Personal details
Born
William Henry Osborn

(1820-12-21)December 21, 1820
Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedMarch 2, 1894(1894-03-02) (aged 73)
New York City, U.S.
Spouse
Virginia Reed Sturges
​
​
(m. 1853)​
Relations
Children
Occupation
  • Businessman
  • philanthropist

William Henry Osborn (December 21, 1820 – March 2, 1894)[1] was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was a railroad tycoon who, as head of the Illinois Central Railroad and later the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans Railroad, became one of the most prominent railroad leaders in the United States. A friend and patron of the painter Frederic Edwin Church, he was an avid art collector. His two sons went on to become presidents of prominent museums in New York City.

  1. ^ Stover, John F. (1999). "Osborn, William Henry". American National Biography (online ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.9780198606697.article.1001254. (subscription required)