Arthur Leary
Arthur Leary (1830–February 22, 1893) was an American merchant and social figure in New York during the Gilded Age. He was born in New York City, the eldest child of Catharine and James Leary, with siblings Annie, Daniel, and George. His father was a hatter who built a fortune selling beaver pelts to the Astor family and running a hat shop near the original Astor House.
Arthur started in the counting house of Bache McEvers, a shipping merchant, and later ran the business on his own after a brief partnership with Edward Cunard. Before the Civil War, he owned a large fleet of merchant ships and became very wealthy. He served as a director or leader of several institutions, including the Union Club, Emigrant Savings Bank, Illinois Central Railroad, Pacific Mail Steamship Company, Park National Bank (vice-president), New York Natural Gaslight Company (president), and New York Mutual Life Insurance Company.
In 1892, Ward McAllister named him one of the Four Hundred, New York’s best families, and he was noted as the only Catholic in that elite group thanks to his ties to the Astor family. He was known as a stylish and social figure around Washington Square and Newport, and he never married; his sister Annie often accompanied him to society events.
Leary died of pneumonia at his home, 90 Fifth Avenue, on February 22, 1893. His funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and he was buried at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. Annie Leary became the executrix of his estate and used his fortune for philanthropy, especially Catholic causes, earning the title Papal Countess from Pope Leo XIII—the first American woman to receive it.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 05:57 (CET).