Richard Butler

Merchant (Fancy Goods)/Rubber Manufacturer

Centurion, 1866–1902

Proposed by
Sanford R. Gifford and Elliot C. Cowdin

born August 9, 1831
Birmingham, Ohio

died November 12, 1902
New York (Manhattan), New York

elected December 1, 1866
Age thirty-five

buried Green-Wood Cemetery,
Brooklyn, New York

proposer of

seconder of

supporter of

Joseph W. Drexel

Member portrait of Richard Butler — Member Photograph Albums CollectionAlbum 3, Leaf 89

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Century Memorial

A native of Ohio, Richard Butler came to this city in his early manhood, and was identified during the remainder of his life with the business interests of New York. For twenty-eight years he was a member of the old house of William H. Cary & Co., and on retiring from that he established the Butler Hard Rubber Company, of which he was the head until his final retirement in 1898. He was always interested in art matters, and was one of the founders and a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The installation of Bartholdi’s famous statue in the harbor of New York was largely due to his untiring and effective labor as Secretary of the Committee having it in charge. He also took an active part in the Art Committee of the Union League Club, of which he was Chairman for a long period, during which he advanced the well-known exhibitions of that organization to a high level of excellence. He was a liberal and discriminating purchaser of pictures and was the owner of a considerable collection.

Edward Cary
1903 Century Association Yearbook

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