Heber R. Bishop

Among the members of The Century who are to be counted permanent benefactors of our important and rapidly growing Museum of Art, Heber R. Bishop was especially generous, discriminating, and faithful. Thirty years ago he had acquired a considerable fortune in the development of the sugar industry in Cuba, which was practically abandoned on account of the insurrection of 1873. Returning to his native country, he turned his attention to railway construction and administration. He was one of the pioneers in the street railway system of this city, and soon extended his enterprise to the railroads and iron and steel industries of the Northwest, in which his sagacity and integrity won him success and confidence. But for some years one of the chief interests of his active mind was the completion of the extraordinary collection of jades and hard stones which he presented to the Museum of Art, the great intrinsic value of which was much enhanced by the remarkable scientific and historic illustrated catalogue, which, with the aid of many experts and his own extraordinarily enlightened labor and supervision, he had prepared. Either the collection or the catalogue must be accepted as rare, and together they form an unique contribution to the beauty and utility of the Museum. This is but an example of the fine zeal of Mr. Bishop, which was manifested in many directions, notably in his work for the Presbyterian Church and its institutions of beneficence. Incidentally, it may be added that he was a devoted sportsman, with wide experience and success at home and abroad.

Edward Cary
1903 Century Association Yearbook