William F. Havemeyer

William F. Havemeyer, the son of the Mayor of the same name, was born in 1850, and retired from active participation in the sugar business in 1889. Yet he continued to move in the financial world as a man of large affairs and director in many corporations. He was elected president of the Bank of North America in 1907. Through many years he was a generous buyer of American paintings; but the passion which continued to his death, was for his unique collection of Washingtonia. Havemeyer was a broad and tolerant man. A certain brusqueness of manner covered the sensitive and tender nature of one who was constant in his kindness to his many friends of the brush and pen. His assistance, always to be counted on, was given so quietly as to be known only to those benefited by his aid.

Henry Osborn Taylor
1914 Century Association Yearbook